Education Minister champions Science Set as key to Ghana’s STEM revolution

Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has endorsed the Science Set. This is a locally made innovation aimed at improving science education in Ghana.

The Science Set is a compact, desk-sized laboratory. It was developed by Dext Technology Limited. The goal is to make hands-on science learning easier for students, especially in resource-limited schools.

Iddrisu called this initiative a “paradigm shift” for science education. He emphasized its potential to improve STEM skills among students. He spoke about this in parliament during a budget debate for his Ministry.

“For years, the lack of resources has hindered quality education,” he said. This issue is especially prevalent in rural areas. The Science Set offers an affordable solution for hands-on learning.

Currently, over 400 private schools in Ghana use the Science Set. An additional 500 schools in the UK have adopted a version of it. Manufactured in Kumasi, the Science Set meets Ghana’s Standards-Based Curriculum requirements.

This allows students to perform necessary experiments efficiently and cheaply. Iddrisu also noted the economic benefits of this initiative. Scaling up could create thousands of jobs in production and training.

He believes this project could position Ghana as a leader in STEM education across Africa. There is potential to export this innovation to other countries as well. “This is a national opportunity,” he stated.

If implemented widely, the Science Set could revolutionize STEM education and boost economic growth through new jobs. The Minister urged stakeholders in education and industry to support this initiative.

Investment in STEM is crucial for Ghana’s future development, he added. Funding will come from various sources, including the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND).

The Ministry plans to distribute science sets to schools by next academic year. Primary grades 4-6 will be the first beneficiaries of this program.

As efforts continue to enhance education, Haruna Iddrisu advocates for innovations like the Science Set. His aim is to ensure that no child misses out on scientific knowledge.