The Africa Institute of Mathematical Studies (AIMS) is calling for enhanced teaching and learning of science in basic schools.
According to the Institute, science education should be more practical, especially at the basic school level.
This, they believe, will enhance the development of human resources to meet the needs of Ghana’s industrial revolution.
Communication Lead for Africa Science Week, Joel Bamfo-Appiah explains, “Mostly people get first-hand practical science education only at the secondary school, and this is mostly in just a few schools with good laboratories”.
He added, “Our idea is to build partnerships with schools and help them in any way we can to drive the interest of students in science education at the basic level”.
The fourth industrial revolution is said to be the next phase in the digitization of the manufacturing sector.
It is expected to be driven mainly by the rise of data and connectivity among others.
Mr. Bamfo-Appiah believes there is a need to position the country to benefit from the new order.
He spoke on the sidelines of an event to mark this year’s Africa Science Week, observed in Kumasi.
The Ghana edition of The Next Einstein Forum’s Africa Science Week is being rolled out in partnership with Henry Luce Foundation.
The Kumasi version, implemented by Kumasi Hive for two days, provided practical science lessons to 150 female students at the basic level.
This Pan-African public engagement edition is themed “Breaking Barriers, Inspiring Scientific Excellence” with focus on promoting women in STEM across different African countries.
Project Lead, Africa Science Week at Kumasi Hive, Sampson Aggrey Osei-Tutu indicates the need to sustain practical lessons the female students are exposed to by the programme.
“When it comes to science girls dream of becoming Doctors but today we have given them different perspectives in the field of study”, he added.
Some students who participated in the event were excited about the practical knowledge received.
“I have learned how to extract DNA from fruits and other things. I got to experience and science is fun. It helps to develop new ideas”, 12-year-old Adwoa Afriyie Obeng Frimpong of Froebel School explained.