The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Ghana, has launched the Girls in Mathematical Science Program as well as the Master of Mathematical Sciences for Teachers as part of the implementation of the UNESCO Category II agreement with the government of Ghana.
The programmes, which were launched on Wednesday, November 20, 2020, seek to harness the talents of some of the best critical thinkers and innovators in the fields of Science and Mathematics to lead transformation agenda in Africa in the future.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwasi Yankah, emphasised the need for reforms to improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics at the pre-tertiary level across the country.
“One key factor that is continuously highlighted in mathematics education at the pre-tertiary level is the challenge of the teaching and learning of the Mathematics subject. This calls for a major reform in our education sector to enable our children understand the subject better,” he said.
Prof. Yankah also stressed on the need for teachers to be better trained to broaden their knowledge in the mathematics field, as that would significantly improve the way they teach the subject.
He further indicated that government is committed to supporting teacher programmes in Mathematics and Science to enhance the quality of tutoring in the subjects.
“The government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education, is happy to support any teacher training programmes that seek to develop in teachers, the capacity for self-development,’’ he added.
The Centre President for AIMS Ghana, Prince Osei, explained that the Institute is making a conscious effort to support girls who have interest in science to enable them break boundaries beyond Ghana and Africa.
“We want to encourage girls to enter science. We want to support them and mentor them so they can make breakthrough discoveries in this field. AIMS Ghana aims more on developing their capacity. It’s a deliberate effort to train the girls and the teachers as well,” he stressed.
According to him, this is the first time such an effort is being made to train teachers and girls in the study of science and mathematics in Ghana and in Africa.