In the past years, research has proven that majority of females students show little or no interest in the studying of maths and science related courses at the basic , senior high or tertiary levels of Ghana’s education.
To bridge the gap and to arouse the interest of students especially female students at the basic level , the New Juaben South Municipal Education Directorate has collaborated with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in recent years to introduce and adopt many 21st century practical teaching and learning of science and mathematics all inuring to the benefit of female students and students who are fundamentally weak in science and maths.
Some of the new practical teaching and learning models include ; organizing weekly KOICA Teacher Learner Circles (TLCs) for schools facilitated by the Education Directorate where teachers from other schools within the same circuit takes on different schools in one-half hour extra classes with well prepared Teaching Learning Resource (TLR).
Others include the introduction of KOICA Girls Camp where female students including the deaf in the municipality are camped in senior high schools to receive practical teaching and learning in STEM units to expose the students to the handling and manipulation of science and maths equipment.
Above all, the Korean government through the KOICA initiative has also collaborated with GES to ensure the conduct of annual science and maths quiz for basic schools at the municipal , regional and the National levels to fully prepare students interest in science and maths before their secondary education.
Speaking in an interview during the New Juaben South Municipal Education Directorate Annual Science and Maths Quiz Competition which took place at GNAT hall in Koforidua , the Municipal Director of Education for New Juaben South Mustapha Haruna Appiah revealed that the intervention by Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in collaboration with GES has ushered in many girls who have now develop interest in maths and science education due to the face lift from theory to evidence based and practical teaching and learning.
He said “many children especially girls shun away from maths and science in the past due to the absence of evidence base practical teaching and learning discouraging them from further pursuing maths and science related courses in the various second cycle institutions”
“But now through the government of Ghana and the intervention of Korean government many programs have been introduced at the basic level to equip teachers and students with the 21st century skills geared towards improving STEM education and to encourage more girls to participate in maths and science courses at the basic level” Mustapha Haruna Appiah said it in an interview.
The theme for the quiz competition was “Promotion of Girls Competency in Maths and Science With Gender-Responsive Pedagogy”.
Oguaa circuit were crowned winners of the quiz competition while Adweso and Srodae circuits emerged as second and third respectively.
Meanwhile , Hajia Rukaya Issah the Girls Education Officer for New Juaben South Education Directorate and doubles as the Focal Person for the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) initiative highlighted the merit of KOICA and GES collaboration through quiz competitions saying it is targeting to bridge gender gap with respect to maths and science education at the basic and senior high levels in the municipality.
On the other hand, the STEM Education Coordinator for New Juaben South Municipality Madam Luisa Amanor explained the positive impact the quiz competition has had on students in the municipality since it inception.
She therefore appealed to cooperate organizations , philanthropist , individuals and companies to support the maths and science quiz competition through sponsorships to help extend the competition to the primary level.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Ansah Stephen
