Associate Dean, Faculty of Business Administration and Communication Art, Academic City University College, Prof. Enoch Opoku Antwi has called the attention of the Educational Sector and its stakeholders to the end of the theoretical era and the need to embrace STEM in this age to maximize output and productivity.
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Inclusion project was launched at the Academic City University College, Accra on 28th April 2023 by Mrs. Sarah Odei Amoani, 3rd Runner up for Ghana’s Most Beautiful 2022, and in attendance were some dignitaries, traditional leaders, Headteachers, influential people and students from the Achimota School College, O’Reilly Senior High School, and stakeholders.
In his speech, Prof. Enoch Opoku Antwi mentioned that the theoretical era of “drawing a frog and naming its parts has elapsed” hence we need to take up new ways. He stressed the need for an assessment plan and also testing students on what they learn to make them competent within our society and STEM is going to be a key player towards that goal.
“Stem must transform the learning environment using digital tools that allow students to learn 24/7 and we should prepare to integrate social studies with academic learning.” He stated.
He further bemoaned the unproductive academic system being run in the country, and how we measure intelligence by the student’s ability to quote formulas and give verbatim definitions which in actuality do not measure competence but rather understanding and remembrance. He also touched on the rigorous nature of the WASSCE examinations where someone goes to the high school for three years and they go to answer questions they have never seen before and also the defective note-taking ability of students.
He continued on how Ghana needs a balanced approach in building a workforce for the future and ended his speech by stating his anticipation for Africa to own its version of Technology. “My prayer is that may we shine in Africa to create our own version of IT and technology, share intelligence and machine learning and make the world a better place.”