[ 2021-03-15 ]

Let’s prioritize STEM; It’s the new niche for education policy – Ntim Fordjour
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, Rev
John Ntim Fordjour, is calling on the government
to accept Science Technology Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) into the fabric of education
policy.

According to him, it is the niche for growth and
development.

He insist it is the difference between developing
and developed countries.

Mr. Ntim Fordjour made the call in a statement he
issued today, Sunday, March 14, 2021, to
commemorate International Mathematics Day.

“The world today has become a technology-driven
society. The status quo of complexities of global
health challenges, environmental sustainability
concerns, and the fact that commerce today is
rapidly being driven by technology, would demand
pragmatic integration of Science Technology
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) into the fabric
of education policy. Undoubtedly, principal to
addressing the gaps in technical and professional
roles in key engineering and technology related
sectors is STEM.”

“STEM is instrumental today and will certainly
become the niche and direction in education for
future generations. Considering the fast spate
with which the world is tilting towards
technology, better are those societies that would
embrace STEM and prioritize the learning of
Mathematics today.”

He added that mathematics can and should be made
attractive and less fearful for students.

Below is Mr. Ntim Fordjour’s full statement
Demystifying Mathematics: Making STEM the new
niche in Education Policy

The world today has become a technology-driven
society. The status quo of complexities of global
health challenges, environmental sustainability
concerns, and the fact that commerce today is
rapidly being driven by technology, would demand
pragmatic integration of Science Technology
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) into the fabric
of education policy. Undoubtedly, principal to
addressing the gaps in technical and professional
roles in key engineering and technology related
sectors is STEM. STEM is instrumental today and
will certainly become the niche and direction in
education for future generations. Considering the
fast spate with which the world is tilting towards
technology, better are those societies that would
embrace STEM and prioritize the learning of
Mathematics today.

The concept of Mathematics is not only the fulcrum
of STEM, but also underpins the study of many
subjects. Maths is not abstract, Maths is
tangible. Maths is the inevitable skill that comes
in handy in our everyday lives, regardless
academic background nor discipline inclinations.
As a matter of fact, we all encounter Maths and
apply Maths in various endeavors. The orange
seller does Maths, the Trotro Mate does Maths, and
so do the astronaut embarking to space and the
anesthetist operating at the surgical theatre. The
Economists and Financial Analysts, who control and
manage the wealth and treasuries of economies and
businesses, cannot do without Mathematics.
Significantly, a number of disciplines i.e. Human
Resources Management, Social Work, Commerce,
Marketing etc which were hitherto considered as
pure humanities are by and large, presently driven
by technology. At the very least, the courtroom
accounts of election petitions 2012 and 2020 would
corroborate the point that the essence of
Mathematics cannot be overemphasized.

Yet, many misconceptions surround the study of
Mathematics. I had been made to believe the notion
that Mathematics is a difficult subject and
therefore the reserve of a few exceptionally
brilliant people. Another myth relating to Maths
is the school of thought that Mathematics is not
meant for women. I have seen many females and a
good number of males avoid Maths like a plague in
the course of their study. Against all these
myths, Maths is equally for females as it is for
males. Over the years, I have come across smart
females who are astute in Mathematics and
demystify the study of Mathematics.

As a professionally trained and practicing
Engineer, with a higher learning in Economics,
Mathematics had been sine qua non and woven into
the fabric of learning for the nearly 30
cumulative years of meaningful learning and
teaching. Learning Maths for me, has been an
exciting experience for the most part of my
education (for the simple reason that I find Maths
the most convenient subject to score the maximum
marks allotted – as exercise of examiners
discretion is absent in marking schemes), and
troubling sometimes (for the many formulas one has
to keep in mind). All in all, I never regret
dedicating the better part of my education to STEM
training and particularly, the learning of Maths.

Suffice to thank sincerely, all my Maths and
Mathematics related Teachers and Lecturers all the
way from Assin Kruwa DA Primary, through Assin
Manso SHS and George Grant University of Mines &
Technology (UMaT Tarkwa), to University of Ghana,
Legon and Georgetown University, Washington DC.

Today, we ought to celebrate men and women of
honor and repute, who have excelled in various
facets of Mathematics and to recognize those in
authority who continue to promote Mathematics;
making it attractive for learning.

Source - Citinewsroom

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