By Mohamed Fofanah.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Abuja in collaboration with Sierra Leone National Commission for UNESCO, and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) yesterday commenced a two-day technical/expert meeting to promote effective and gender responsive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Education in Sierra Leone.
The objectives of the workshop are to promote effective STEM education as the basis of science technology and innovation-STI for achieving SDGs; promote the national STEM education curricular for secondary schools of Sierra Leone with a view of mainstreaming micro-science kits; validate a STEM project concept, and introduce the concept of open science.
This is part of UNESCO’s efforts to tackle issues such as under-representation of women in STEM/STI which translates to loss of critical mass of talent; lack of information on drivers and barriers to careers in S&E; lack of access to gender sensitive STEM education, and limited availability of methodology for evidenced-informed policy-making.
At the end of training program, participants are expected to create awareness and insight received on the concept of UNESCO Science Kits; validate concept on a STEM project for Sierra Leone; adopt plan for mainstreaming Micro science for Sierra Leone; and adopt plan for mainstreaming Micro-Science Kits into Sierra Leone curriculum.
According to Dr. Enang Moma, science, technology and innovation (STI) plays a pivotal role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and in tackling global societal problems like the present COVID-19 pandemic, climate change impacts, unemployment, and loss of livelihoods.
She added that a critical pool of scientists and skilled researchers, engineers, and technicians are needed for STI to work for development and address needs.
At a meeting organized within the margins of the UNESCO General Conference to discuss how it can support Sierra Leone in developing effective STEM and TVET, Dr. Enang Moma revealed that the Minister of Technical and Higher Education expressed commitment and political will to support an endeavor in STEM and TVET.
Speaking at Cabenda Hotel in Freetown on Monday, Professor Dr. Alpha Wurie, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education said he was happy with the exercise, looking forward towards the outcome of the workshop, while expressing commitment to move towards science, technology, and innovation as the basis for the countryโs students, especially girls to be interested in science and to be able to benefit from these options.
