“ I’ve Sponsored 20 Science Students To Fill Engineers Gap” – Deputy Minister Of Education Reveals
As part of efforts to ensure that the country produces more engineers to bolster the government’s development agenda, the Deputy Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has taken a giant step by personally sponsoring about 20 students in the Bosomtwe Constituency to become engineers.
According to him, it has become necessary for him to put together his special sponsorship package because of the engineers gap which is undermine the country’s efforts to develop.
“We can only develop as a nation if we produce more engineers and this is the source of my motivation.” He said to justify his actions.
Dr Adutwum made the disclosure in an exclusive interview aired simultaneously on Wontumi Radio 101.3 and TV in Kumasi.
He said that to fill the gap, the government is constructing Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Academy (STEM) centres across the country to train more engineers.
He bemoaned that, he once visited a Senior High School premises in the Ashanti Region and was shocked to find out that none of the 50 physics students , all females, was ready to take up engineering as a career.
“It was unbelievable because physics is the basis of engineering however, after counseling them most of them found out that with the interest they have acquired in physics, naturally, they are on course to be engineers.” He recalled.
The Member of Parliament for the Bosomtwe regretted that because of lack of proper counseling which is lacking in our educational set up most Ghanaian students who may have the brains to do engineering have opted for other professions.
According to him, “there should be a committee to orientate the students through proper counseling to know the kind of career that can best suit them relative to their interest or skill.
According to Hon Dr. Adutwum the government’s intention to tap the talents of Ghanaian children is manifested in the establishment of the Creative Arts School at Kwadaso in Kumasi to train talented children in arts.
He further noted the Education Ministry is supporting President Akufo-Addo’s frantic effort to change the dynamics of the country’s education should be supported by all because the Education Ministry which is implementing government’s policies will continue to chart a good course for Ghanaians..
“It’s good to fix roads and build factories, but research has established that if you want to get the full benefits from these projects then the educational sector must be solid .” He stressed.
Meanwhile, Hon. Dr. Adutwum, has urged Ghanaians to consider this year’s election as a vote for the country’s future development and progress and vote overwhelmingly for the NPP for Nana Addo to continue his good works especially for the benefit of the younger generation and those who may come after them.