In a bid to enhance the quality of science education in Ghana, the Practical Education Network (PEN) in collaboration with philanthropist Professor Yuan Luo has generously provided science training materials and practice manuals to schools and science educators in the Agotime Districts of the Volta Region.
This commendable donation aimed to bolster the standard of Science education within the Agotime District saw the enthusiastic participation of 228 Lower and Upper Primary Science teachers across all public schools in the Agotime Ziope District.
The PEN Hands-On Science Teacher mini-training program, a fundamental part of this initiative, equipped teachers with essential hands-on science teaching techniques, empowering them to engage and educate students in a practical and enjoyable manner.
Each participating teacher received a copy of the PEN Hands-On Science Teacher Resource manual, a valuable tool intended to facilitate the adoption of hands-on teaching and learning methodologies within their classrooms.
Francis Yao Agbemadi, the Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), emphasized the necessity for practical approaches to learning, particularly in Science, to enhance the quality of education. He encouraged teachers to incorporate hands-on methods to facilitate easier comprehension among students.
Mr. Agbemadi also called upon corporate entities to emulate the contributions made by PEN, emphasizing the need for support to improve Science education, particularly in the 18 districts of the Volta Region. He highlighted the substantial benefits stemming from PEN’s manual donations and complimentary training sessions, foreseeing enhanced educational outcomes for both educators and students.
Rosemary Ahiadeke, the Regional STEM Coordinator of GES, expressed gratitude to the PEN team for selecting Agotime-Kpetoe as the inaugural district in Ghana to benefit from this initiative. She stressed the significance of ongoing teacher training to elevate STEM education standards, expressing hope for the effectiveness and impact of the program in teaching STEM subjects.
Mrs. Ahiadeke particularly commended the utilization of local materials to improvise practical lessons, acknowledging the financial constraints associated with acquiring laboratory equipment.
Joseph Quaye Amoo, the Programmes Manager at PEN, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to ensuring quality STEM education for all Ghanaian learners. He highlighted their commitment to exploring cost-effective avenues to extend their innovative low-cost, hands-on STEM education movement throughout the country.
Mr. Amoo expressed contentment with the enthusiastic reception and collaboration from teachers during the training sessions, believing that the manuals would significantly enhance Science lessons, benefiting students extensively.
Acknowledging the generous contribution of Professor Yuan Luo, Amoo emphasized its lasting impact on STEM education, hailing it as a model example of collective efforts enhancing student learning experiences and region-wide development.
Professor Yuan Luo, a distinguished Professor at the National Taiwan University in Taiwan, made this donation to PEN in memory of his late mother, Chinying Chiang, exemplifying a commitment to advancing education and leaving a profound legacy in her honor.
PEN, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving student learning outcomes through teacher capacity-building, conducts teacher training programs that prioritize MIT-style learning-by-doing methodologies. The organization’s mission revolves around empowering African children to learn through practical experiences, envisioning an Africa transformed by generations of adept problem solvers.
Source: GBC