Mathematics and Science teachers have been urged to adopt practical, child-centred and play-way strategies and methods in teaching in order to make the study of the duo subjects lively to the pupils.
According to Mr Daniel Cobbold, the Municipal Director of Education for Mfantseman in the Central Region (CR) who made the call, poor teaching strategies and methods of some teachers contribute to the fear most pupils have for the Science and Mathematics subjects.
Speaking on the theme “Resuscitating the interest of learners in the study of mathematics and science at the basic school level: the role of the teacher” as the special guest of honour at the grand finale of the second edition of the Bunyan Maths and Science quiz competition for public Junior High Schools in the Anomabo and Yamoransa circuits of the Municipality on Friday, he called on the teachers to take advantage of the Ghana Education Service’s newly introduced Continuous Professional Development policy to build their own capacities both academically and professionally in order for them to have the confidence to teach the children the subjects.
“As teachers, let us avail ourselves to any incert which will be organized. Whenever we hear of any seminar or workshop, even if we have to pay, please pay and attend to build your capacity”, Mr Cobbold appealed.
The quiz was organized by an education initiative called Boys and Girls Club of Ghana in memory of the late Joseph Benjamin Bunyan, former TVET coordinator at the Mfantseman Municipal Education directorate, and was sponsored by the Bunyan family.
Commending the club for the program, Mr Daniel Cobbold said the organizers were helping solve some of the problems in the municipality as far as the duo subjects are concerned. The reason, according to him, performance of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in the municipality in mathematics and science had over the years been declining, the situation he described as unfortunate.
According to him, out of 3, 154 candidates who sat for the 2017 BECE, only 1,519 and 1,624 passed mathematics and science respectively.
In 2020, he said out of the 3,172 and 3,169 candidates presented for Mathematics and Science respectively, only 1,332 and 1,760 passed.
On his part, Dr. James Kofi Kutsoati, a former deputy CEO in charge of operations at the Ghana Cocoa Board, who was the main speaker, charged mathematics and science teachers to encourage and counsel their students on the importance and opportunities in studying mathematics and science.
He then bemoaned the low involvement of females in the study of the subjects and therefore appealed to stakeholders to sensitize parents and female students to develop love for it.
At the end of the competition, Anomabo Methodist ‘B’ Junior High School was adjudged the winner with 52 points followed by Eguase Anglican JHS with 49 points and Ndasimam M/A JHS placing 3rd with 43 points.
The entire competition started in August 2, 2021 with all the 30 public JHSs in the three Circuits in Anomabo and Yamoransa in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region.
Story: Kojo Ata Kakrah Abrowah.//anthonyabrowah@gmail.com
Photos credit: Ike KuQ photography