The Deputy Minister of Education designate, Clement Abass Apaak, has stated that the government is committed to expanding the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Ghana with the help of global partnerships in order to sustain the program.
Speaking during his vetting in parliament on Tuesday, February 25, he explained that there is the need to mobilize resources beyond what the government provides to ensure that STEM education reaches every Ghanaian child.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged the progress that has been made in STEM education, of which he mentioned that Ghana currently has ten STEM schools at various levels of completion.
“As we speak, my briefing informs me that one school has been fully completed and is operational, while seven others are also functioning,” he stated.
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He highlighted the significance of these schools in preparing Ghanaian students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Mr. Apaak added that the government has made a good number of investments to boost STEM education, but that sector still remains capital intensive, which requirs additional funding sources.
“If we want to succeed in the manner we all anticipate, we cannot rely solely on government resources,” he said. “We must seek support from bilateral and multilateral partners, as well as donor organizations, to sustain and expand STEM education in Ghana.”
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The Deputy Minister further mentioned the role of private organizations that are supporting the STEM initiatives.
“The MasterCard Foundation has significantly supported the government and the Ministry of Education, and I believe we can engage similar organizations to strengthen our efforts,” he added.