Ghana adopts science and technology education policy

The Ghana Government has adopted a national science and technology education policy , the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Sherry Ayittey, has disclosed.

“This is driven by the realization that science, technology and innovation are critical for economic growth, and productivity and the government has consequently introduced various education reforms and training programmes, to achieve the desire goals, “she stressed.

Ms Ayittey was addressing a workshop on the Skill Development Fund (SDF), at Dodowa, in the Shai-Osudoku District in the Greater Accra Region, last Thursday.

The participants were the tertiary, technical and vocational Institutions.

The fun is an initiative of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), aimed at addressing financial challenges in the technical, vocational and educational training sector, as well as skill development and access to technology.

Ms Ayittey pointed out that Ghana’s educational and training institutions are not producing enough skilled manpower to meet the market demands, “hence government’s desire to improve technological training, even to benefit small-scale industries”.

“There is a shortage of skilled scientists and engineers, and this has become a major barrier to improving the country’s technological performance, “she lamented.

Ms Ayittey indicated that Ghana’s middle-income status would require the greater participation of the manufacturing sector.

The ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is improving the science and engineering contents of the curriculum, posting more science teachers to second cycle schools, promoting science clubs in the schools, as well as equipping the laboratories in the schools, she revealed.

In addition, the ministry had granted scholarship to over 5,000 brilliant students to study mathematics and science.

Ms Ayittey also called for more assistance for search institutions and women’s group, to enable them to contribute to the national effort.

Mr Ebenezer Ato Simpson, the grants specialist of the SDF, intimated that the fund would offer opportunities to both the formal and formal sectors, of the economy.

“We need to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the TVET system and ensure the sustainability of the sources of their funding, “he counseled.

Source: The Ghanaian Times