As part of efforts to bridge the learning gap through digital STEM education using social entrepreneurial solutions, Siemens Stiftung in collaboration with Ghanaian social enterprise BLUETOWN has launched an Access STEM project to enable easy access to high, quality open educational resources (OERs) in semi-urban Ghana.
This collaboration will enable up to 5,000 teachers to connect to BLUETOWN’s infrastructure and access digital learning and teaching materials on the local cloud.
The project which is being piloted in the Eastern region of Ghana where the availability of digital learning tools is comparatively low is expected to benefit 4,000 to 5,000 teachers and students to get access to connectivity infrastructure in combination with the latest learning materials in STEM subjects from Siemens Stiftung’s internationally recognized OER’s under a public license.
In an interview with Citi News on the sidelines of the training of some teachers at the Koforidua Technical Institute in Koforidua, the Project Coordinator of BLUETOWN, Ann Selorm Fesu, who noted the importance of the training said a number of people will benefit from it to help improve themselves.
“Siemens Stiftung has partnered with BLUETOWN to provide free digital educational resources under the Access STEM Project, this project is being piloted in 4 schools in the Eastern Region of Ghana and will provide 4,000 to 5,000 teachers and students access to BLUETOWN’s connectivity infrastructure in combination with Siemens Stiftung’s state-of-the-art learning materials in STEM subjects”.
“At the first launch in Kibi Presbyterian College of Education, representatives from both organizations and the partner school highlighted the importance of an educational system that provides relevant skills for the youth to be ready for the future high-growth sectors linked to science, technology, engineering and mathematics which would ultimately improve livelihoods. The aim of the project is to “Train Teachers for a Digital Tomorrow”.
On her part, Dr. Nina Smidt the Managing Director and Spokesperson of the Board of Directors at Siemens Stifung through a release noted the importance of the initiative.
“This pilot supports the Sustainable Development Goal on Quality Education and industry, innovation and infrastructure by not only providing educational resources to a wider population but also improving digital infrastructure to prepare students for the future job market. Such initiatives bridge the learning gap exacerbated by the pandemic for students living in areas with no internet”.
For the teachers who could not hide their joy, they indicated that the study of ICT, and its understanding, will help improve the performance of students in their final exams.
