(ThyBlackMan.com) When Education Minister, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh expressed concerns over the low grades students had in science and math in Ghana this raised increased awareness for African parents that their children may not be prepared for many careers that require science and math skills.
GhanaWeb General News 19/Feb/17
Dr. Prempeh understands how critical these subjects are for the nation’s development and ability to compete on a continental level. Citing the West African Examination Council (WAEC) report the last several years there is continued failure in the mathematics and science areas.
There is great change on the continent of Africa, the incorporation of technology in education and business and in homes is changing how people communicate on the African continent. The engagement of educational initiatives that will train children for the future creating a transformative paradigm shift in how education is prepared for more students as the national infrastructure is updated.
African children should be preparing for developing careers in STEAM to solve complex problems that will challenge the ability to function in a technology environment.
Better educational opportunities build the intellectual abilities of youth, teens and young adults dreaming of being entrepreneurs, building businesses, involved in commerce and high tech industries. Training is paramount and vital so STEAM and STEM initiatives are being provided by the growth and incorporation of academic courses being taught in schools. Parents must know the difference between STEM/STEAM/STREAM/CSTREAM and STEM2.
These are the infusion of computers, science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math and in some cases medicine.
“The black man in Africa had mastered the arts and sciences. He knew the course of the stars in the universe before the man up in Europe knew that the earth wasn’t flat.”
Malcolm X
The mission is to engage the whole child and foster higher order thinking and critical thinking skills in all areas,” defined by STE[+a]M. The changing thinking of building African minds is that STEM creates core values that embraces diversity in learning and understanding that all learning is connected and transferable.
The blending of STEM skills requires students to engage in creative application, critical and higher order thinking that supports collaborative and cooperative learning.
Learning that challenges thinking, bringing about success that is transferable in advanced areas of application in society. Many careers are now influenced by STEM curriculums that help determine the paths for students and their choice of careers.
As an Educational Technology, Social Media and STEM instructor at Edward Waters College, educators, artists, business people and scientists recognize the importance of blending the arts and sciences believing that this can lead to richer student learning. STEAM is complimentary with 21st century artistic, scientific and technological skills.
There is much more than just teacher centered instruction, the student must be the center of learning and involve the “4 Cs”: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication.
So important are these that foreign nations that come to Africa to assist are using similar instructional parameters taught in their nations and transferring to Africa.
The issue is that African students are playing catchup because they are missing critical components. As the infrastructure is upgraded or built students at a rapid pace will be the educational, technical, commercial and commerce leaders it needs to take African nations into the 21st and 22nd centuries as a leaders and visionaries.
“I believe it is an important developmental tool inasmuch as it also an issue of social justice that people of this country no matter their circumstances can have access to good schooling. It is important that we develop the “human capital” of our country. The policies that we have will make it possible.”
President Akufo-Addo of Ghana
Matthew Opoku Prempeh is Minister designate for Education http://citifmonline.com/2017/01/10/matthew-opoku-prempeh-is-minister-designate-for-education/
These sentiments can be shared with many African nations working to improve educational access from early childhood to higher education and even vocational education.
It is important for the future of Africa when Africans can invest and re-invest in their own nations, on their own continent than waiting on others that do not have the same passion for the continent and do not have the same wish for cultural and national stability and pride.
Resources about STEM and STEAM
https://myquesttoteach.wordpress.com/steam/
Africa’s Future Depends on STEM
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mariame-jamme/africas-workforces-need-r_b_6340556.htm
STEM Education as a Solution to Youth Unemployment
http://www.iafrikan.com/2014/03/12/stem-education-as-a-solution-to-youth-unemployment-in-africa/
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.