The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ms. Sherry Ayittey, has stressed on the need to motivate students in science and mathematics to equip them with the necessary skills in their chosen careers.
The Minister underscored that a developing country like Ghana needs the art of Science and Maths for accelerated growth and development.
Ms. Sherry Ayittey was speaking at the official launch of Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme (MASTESS) in Accra on Monday.
“Since it is widely known that Science and Technology is the basis for development in this world, especially in this era of complex and advance scientific and technology innovation, there was the need for initiatives of this nature to encourage students in Science and Maths,” said Ms. Sherry Ayittey.
She bemoaned the poor standards in the teaching of Maths and Science in the country in recent times.
“It is an undeniable fact that the teaching and learning of mathematics and science have been on the decline, especially in second cycle institutions for a number of reasons,” Ms. Sherry Ayittey stated.
She attributed the decline in the standards of Maths and Science to the lack of motivation for teachers and lecturers as well as the perception among students the two subjects are difficult.
She also added that the lack of animation equipment for the teaching and learning of science and maths is one of the major challenges, which is not facilitating the teaching of the two subjects.
She explained that it is in this regard that the NDC government through the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) has instituted the MASTESS initiative to help resource and finance projects of brilliant but needy maths and science students.
“This project is in fulfillment of the promise on page 73 of the NDC 2008 manifesto which states that the NDC government will set aside 2 per cent of the GETFUND to provide bursaries and scholarships for tertiary level students in pure and applied mathematics, science and technology,” Ms. Sherry Ayittey noted.
She disclosed that the scheme aims at covering needy students in second cycle institutions including vocational and technical institutions.
Ms. Sherry Ayittey said under the second cycle component of the MASTESS scheme, there shall be a pilot project under which 400 hawkers and “Kayayei” with basic education qualification will be screened for further education in vocational and technical institutions.
She added that MEST in collaboration with the Ministry of Education will be implementing the scheme.
By Asiedu Dede Beatrice
Please i would like to know how and when to apply