By Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Jomoro (W/R), June 2, GNA – Ahead of the 2018 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) on Monday, June 4, Tullow Ghana Limited and Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF) have empowered 916 candidates in the Western Region through science practicals.
This forms part of efforts by two organisations to improve the performance of students in the core subjects of Science and Mathematics at the BECE level under the Educate to Innovate with STEM Project.
The project, which was funded by Tullow Ghana Limited and implemented by YBF, a youth focused group with interest in bridging gaps for positive development, seeks to empower beneficiaries to imagine, aspire and put their thoughts into action to solve challenges through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Mr Seth Oteng, the Executive Director of YBF, at the final segment of the programme in Jomoro, called for a collective approach of stakeholders in promoting education in the country.
« Ghana beyond Aid is a collective responsibility and can only thrive on an investment into Ghana’s human capital, specifically the youth.
« And a key component of this investment is in their education at the basic level. »
Mr Oteng, therefore, called for a multi-stakeholder approach among the Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Education, traditional authorities, corporate bodies and parents to invest in the education of the youth.
He commended Tullow Ghana Limited for the noble opportunity that exposed the students to new approaches to Science and Mathematics to address the negative misconceptions the students had about those subjects.
« I also appreciate the phenomenial support from teachers at the basic level and Senior High Schools in all the six districts we visited, for opening their doors to these beneficiaries for the mentoring sessions, orientation and science practicals they were engaged in for the first time. »
Mr Fredrick Jojo Kwofie, the Project Coordinator, in his closing remarks, said primarily, the programme was designed to prepare and build the confidence of the candidates for the upcoming exams.
« I am, therefore, confident that the journey so far has yielded its goal and come June 4 – 8, I know you will all make us proud and you will produce the knowledge acquired for greater success, » he said.
Of the 916 candidates who benefited from the seminar, 129 came from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, 184 from Shama District, 108 from Nzema East Municipal Assembly, 75 from Ellembele District, 334 from Ahanta West Municipal Assembly and 86 from Jomoro District.
The gender representation was 455 females and 461 males.
Axim Methodist School, Akonu District Assembly School, Essiama Methodist JHS, Sanzule Krisan JHS, Aboadze Catholic JHS, Shama JHS, Dixcove Methodist JHS, Agona School « A » and « B », and Half Assini Catholic JHS were among the 22 schools that participated.
The students were counselled by guidance and counselling officers of the Ghana Education Service and the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
Some of the students expressed satisfaction about the project and said it had broadened their knowledge on the impending examination.
Ms Sadia Ibrahim, a final year student of Sanzule Krisan JHS, said: « Am now ready for my exams and am confident I will pass with flying colours because through this engagement, all my fears have been conquered. On behalf of my colleagues, I thank Tullow Ghana Limited and YBF for the education, » she told the Ghana News Agency.
According to the WAEC, 509, 737 candidates would be writing this year’s BECE.
The candidates are from 16,058 schools and the exams would be conducted at 1,768 centres across the country.
GNA
ABD
June 2, 2018
Caption: Picture Attached
