Sandema- Girls from underserved communities in the Builsa North District have vowed to study STEM-related courses in SHS after undergoing a STEM bootcamp by US-Ghana.
More than 200 young girls from 21 deprived schools in the Builsa North District of the Upper East Region have gone through an intensive mentoring program to encourage them choose Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ( STEM) courses in senior high schools for a better future in this technological world.
The girls who are coming from the underserved communities in the area of science and technology converged at Sandema for the mentorship programme organised by US-Ghana Alumni made up of Fulbright TEA & ILEP, YES, MWF for a STEM bootcamp.
The main aim for the bootcamp is to unearth skills in girls to give them the opportunity and unlock doors of better careers for them in the area of science, technology, engineering and Mathematics. The bootcamp is also to develop the girls passion for STEM as they get ready for Senior High School.
The girls and other few boys who were invited for the program were trained in Robotics, Engineering and Mathematics which has yielded some positive results at the end of the program.
One of the facilitators with the Swedru School of Business, William Ababu sent the girls through the learning styles and approaches of studying STEM related subjects and courses at the Senior High School level.
Mr. Ababu used the opportunity to introduce the girls on how to benefit from education after Senior High School using the STEM approach.
Jo-Ann Neequaye from Nyarkrom SHS and a US-Ghana facilitator also reiterated the need for the girls to venture into STEM courses that are men related especially in engineering saying it is another way of making girls and women achieve more in society.
The US Embassy in Ghana representative at the bootcamp, Virginia Ginny Elliott who double as the Public Affairs Counselor was excited about the high level of interest from the girls and their zeal to learn and explore in STEM.
Madam Elliott said most girls from underserved communities are talented but do not get the opportunity to exhibit their raw skills and talents in STEM related activities, so the need for the bootcamp to unearth these skills which will help them make wise decisions going forward in choosing their careers.
Priscilla Akobanyam, on behalf of the girls thanked the US-Ghana Alumni for bringing the bootcamp to their doorsteps saying it is a wonderful experience and they are lucky to be part of the programme.
The girls urged the organisers to make it a ritual in coming to the underserved communities to encourage them to study STEM related programmes in the future.
The Ghana Education Service and the government of Ghana for the past three years have developed interest in TVET and Vocational training to close up the unemployment gap in the country as well as developing and creating more skilled job opportunities for Ghanaians.
The US- Ghana Alumni STEM bootcamp is another way of reducing graduate unemployment in the country where hundreds of graduates complete schools without any employment either in the formal or informal sector.
By Mohammed Rabiu Tanko|U/E|Onuaonline.com
