Ahead of the 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Tullow Ghana organized exams preparation sessions for some 942 Junior High School (JHS) pupils in 21 communities within the six coastal districts in the Western Region of Ghana, under the Educate to Innovate with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Project.
The preparation sessions commenced on May 21, 2019, spanning over two weeks. Activities carried out included STEM Clinics – demonstration of how science practicum in physics, biology and chemistry are conducted in the laboratory; Mentorship and Orientation Seminar, an educational drive that socialized JHS pupils about the basic rules of the BECE exams and how to select schools based on their interests and performance; and STEM Quiz Competition that tested the knowledge and preparedness of the pupils ahead of the upcoming exam.
Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF), official implementers of the Tullow Educate to Innovate with STEM project, commended Tullow Ghana for supporting STEM education among pupils in the rural communities. In opening the session, Frederick Jojo Kwofie, the YBF Coordinator for the Project admonished pupils to seize the opportunity to boost their interest in STEM education and to study hard in the areas taught as a sure way of building a core manpower resource-base for Ghana’s development. He wished the pupils and all candidates well in the 2019 exam on behalf of Tullow Ghana and YBF.
Present at the sessions were key stakeholders including the Assistant Western Regional Science, Technology, Mathematics, Innovation and Engineering (STMIE) Coordinator, Mrs. Evelyn Annumel,; Takoradi Metropolitan Exam Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Ametepe; Shama District STMIE Coordinator, Madam Sabina Buabeng; Shama District Director of Education, Mrs Efua Amoakoah-Qummah; District WAEC Examiner for Shama, Mr. Kobina Lawson; and Public Relations Officer of the Ahanta West Education Directorate, Mr Daniel Payne. They each took turns to give bits and pieces of counsel to the pupils on relevant areas in STEM to focus on for success in the upcoming BECE exams. They all wished the pupils well in the impending exam.
The sessions and interventions proved helpful because they demystified STEM among the pupils ahead of the exam; built their confidence towards the exam; and whipped up interest in STEM among them. Indeed, in a follow-up interview, the remarks and responses of pupils attested to the positive impact of the sessions.
For instance, Master Alex Aka, a BECE 2019 Candidate of the Nkontompo AME Zion JHS, observed that “This is actually my first time of being in a Science laboratory. I have learnt how to use the various litmus papers to test for Acid and Base and how to construct electrical circuit using the various electrical components. This has helped me understand the Science concept very well and has empowered me to pursue Science at the secondary level of education. I also feel very prepared for the exam coming.”
Similarly, Miss Christiana Quayson, also a 2019 BECE candidate of the Poase Methodist JHS, noted that “The quiz and other important preparatory sessions have educated me more on some Science apparatus and all other important topics I need to cover. I believe this will help me in writing my exams with flying colours.”
In the Akonu community, Master Frederick Amoo, also sitting the 2019 exam from the Nzema East Municipal, noted that “This exercise has reminded me of so many things which I had forgotten. Through this program, I now know that with constant practice and dedication, Mathematics and Science is easy to solve.”
Educate to Innovate with STEM is a three year project funded by Tullow Ghana and implemented by YBF, in the six coastal districts of the Western Region. The project is strategically located to benefit communities where Tullow’s operations are mostly felt. It therefore serves as a major component of Tullow’s socio-economic investment strategy aimed at improving the interest and performance of students at the JHS and Senior High School levels in STEM by 50 per cent.
BY YBF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT.