“This is not just about infrastructure; it is about transforming education. These projects will not only provide safe and conducive learning environments but will also contribute to the delivery of 21st-century education, particularly in STEM,” Dr. Adutwum stated. He further emphasized the government’s resolve to bridge the gap in education infrastructure, particularly in underserved communities. “We are committed to ensuring that every child, from the most rural areas to urban centres, has access to quality education that prepares them for a competitive global economy,” the Minister added. The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, stated that his passion for STEM education was due to the impact it has made in other parts of the world leading to the transformation of their economies. He appealed to students, parents, opinion leaders and society in general to encourage their children to develop an interest in the STEM education space since that was what the global job market was focusing on. Dr Adutwum hinted at plans to introduce aviation and aerospace programs in 12 Senior High Schools next academic year describing it as a strategic move to equip Ghanaian students with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in the ever-evolving world of STEM disciplines.

Introduce the ‘Bright Beginnings Initiative’ to revive early childhood education for the well-being of Ghanaian children and facilitate seamless integration into continuous schooling and lifelong learning. Launch a ‘Furniture for All Initiative’ in partnership with the local carpentry and furniture industry to address the acute deficit at the basic school level. Significantly improve the pupil-to-textbook ratio through the comprehensive provision of curriculum-based textbooks. Embark on an aggressive infrastructure drive to address the increasing phenomenon of schools under trees and rehabilitate dilapidated school buildings. Improve the free SHS programme by providing a dedicated and sustainable funding source. Decentralise the procurement of food for Senior High Schools to boost local economies. Abolish the double-track system to restore a stable onetrack academic calendar. Embark on an emergency infrastructure drive to complete abandoned E-blocks and expand infrastructure in existing SHS and TVET institutions. Continue our policy of providing free laptops/tablets for students. Equip Science Resource Centres in all schools across the regions to support STEM/TVET education. Review the Computerized School Selection & Placement System (CSSPS) to make it merit-based and address corruption. Commence the establishment of regional TVET Centres of Excellence equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to promote innovation and simulate natural work environments. Ref: manifesto.johnmahama.org

Mr Haruna Iddrisu indicated his readiness to ensure that the STEM schools are strengthened, and more infrastructure are provided. “My strategy is to ensure that we decouple GETFund and increase its investment in education as a percentage of GDP. There should be increasing allocation to the education portfolio. I trust that between now and the next few years we will have to invest a minimum of one point five billion dollars into the education sector,” he noted. The Education Minister pointed out that government will scale up the STEM schools. “Our intention is that we scale it up to the regional capitals beginning with Upper East, Upper West, Oti, Western North and the other regions will follow,” he said. Ref: 3News