A student eating an egg at the competition
The Armed Forces Services School in Takoradi and Golden Star D/A Basic School at Bogoso have won the maiden edition of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition in the Western Region.
It was organised by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation to whip up the interest of basic school students in the region in the study of STEM.
The Armed Forces School won in the Junior High School category followed by WATICO Demonstration at Sefwi Wiawso while Golden Star won the Primary School category with Torya D/A at Torya in Enchi coming second.
The winning schools and 1st runner ups received GH¢5,000.00 and GH¢3,000.00 respectively in addition to hampers for the students while other contestants received consolation prizes.
A total of 132 basic schools from all the 22 districts in the Western Region took part in the inter district quizzes out of which 12 schools with 24 contestants were selected for the grand finale in Takoradi.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Executive Officer of GNPC, Dr Kofi Sarpong said his outfit was ready to support students to study science related subjects in order to take up challenging positions in the oil and gas industry especially now that the product was being produced in large quantities in the region.
He noted that though there was emphasis on mathematics and science, English played a major role in the study of these subjects thus urged teachers to ensure the study of English was also taken seriously.
The CEO said the GNPC would carry out a research on rural schools in the Western Region which lacked computers and start equipping such schools on a pilot basis to help STEM education in those areas.
The Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, Dr Kwame Baah-Nuakoh in a welcome address said GNPC would continue to provide intervention in the traditional areas to motivate the people to take child education seriously.
The Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhiawso and President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, for his part said the intervention was a testament of what the oil and gas money was spent on.
Noting that education was the bedrock of development, he commended GNPC for starting a programme to catch the little ones young and encouraged them to study mathematics and science related subjects.
FROM PETER GBAMBILA, TAKORADI
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS