President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo insists his administration has transformed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs in the country. According to him, the focus on TVET and STEM education in Ghana has brought significant advancements.
On the back of this, he said these programs will no longer be seen as the option for those who cannot make the top grade.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA), in Parliament, the President said his administration embarked on the development of twenty STEM centres and ten model STEM Senior High Schools across the nation. Additionally, there was the construction of one hundred and eighty-six new science laboratories across the country.
“These institutions are designed to provide hands-on learning experiences with cutting-edge facilities. From coding to robotics, our students are being prepared for the demands of the 21st century. It has not been without challenges, but the results are evident”, he said.
The President said: “there can be no such arguments about the introduction of the Free SHS and Free TVET programmes, another policy that did not have universal approval when I sought to introduce it on coming into office.”
However, he said that over 5.7 million young people have gained access to secondary education, who would otherwise not have had the opportunity, but for Free SHS and Free TVET students are able to get equipped with skills and knowledge.
He explained that from 2020, when the first cohort of Free Senior High School candidates sat for the WASSCE, Ghana has consistently recorded over 50% of candidates scoring A1 to C6 in all four core subjects.
This marks a stark improvement compared to the years prior, particularly the period when pass rates in core subjects were largely below 50%. “This year’s results, the 2024 results, have maintained the laudable trend from 2020”, hr added.
“It is obvious, then, that our reforms have not only expanded access, but have also enhanced the quality of education”, the President said.
However, he did agree that his government has not fully implemented it school reforms but have established an educational system which is effective in this modern era.
My Administration Elevated TVET and STEM Education to Where They Belong – President Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said that his administration has elevated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs to where they belong, saying they will no longer be seen as the option for those who cannot make the top grade.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President said his administration embarked on the development of twenty STEM centres and ten model STEM Senior High Schools across the nation, and also constructed one hundred and eighty-six new science laboratories nationwide.
“These institutions are designed to provide hands-on learning experiences with cutting-edge facilities. From coding to robotics, our students are being prepared for the demands of the 21st century. It has not been without challenges, but the results are evident,” he said.
The President said “There can be no such arguments about the introduction of the Free SHS and Free TVET programmes, another policy that did not have universal approval when I sought to introduce it on coming into office.”
However, he said that over 5.7 million young people have gained access to secondary education, who would otherwise not have had the opportunity, but for Free SHS and Free TVET students are able to get equipped with skills and knowledge.
He explained that from 2020, when the first cohort of Free Senior High School candidates sat for the WASSCE, Ghana has consistently recorded over 50% of candidates scoring A1 to C6 in all four core subjects.
This marks a stark improvement compared to the years prior, particularly the period when pass rates in core subjects were largely below 50%. “This year’s results, the 2024 results, have maintained the laudable trend from 2020,” he added.
“It is obvious, then, that our reforms have not only expanded access but have also enhanced the quality of education,” the President added.
However, he acknowledged that his government has not fully implemented its school reforms but has established an educational system that is effective in this modern era.
