Ghana’s Ministry of Education has announced that 12 Senior High Schools (SHSs) will introduce courses in aviation and aerospace starting from the next academic year. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country.
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, made this announcement during his visit to the Afia Kobi Ampem Girls Senior High School in the Ashanti Region.
This particular school has been recognized for its pioneering efforts in engineering, having developed a miniature airplane. The minister praised the school’s achievements, stating that their success played a pivotal role in the government’s decision to introduce these courses.
The aviation and aerospace courses will not merely be extracurricular activities or clubs but will be integrated into the academic curriculum. Students enrolled in these courses will also study subjects like physics, chemistry, and advanced mathematics to provide a comprehensive educational experience.
Dr. Adutwum further elaborated on the transformative plans for the Afia Kobi Ampem Girls SHS. “This school is going to be transformed into a STEM school.
They are doing some great things in the field of aviation and aerospace as pioneers at this level,” he remarked. The government has also shown its commitment by expanding facilities in the school, including the provision of well-equipped science laboratories.
In addition to the academic advancements, the minister applauded the school’s innovative initiative called “drop everything and read”, a dedicated time for students to engage in reading. He assured that a library would be provided to support this initiative, expressing confidence that the school would rank among the best in the country within the next five years.
This move by the Ghanaian government underscores the importance of preparing the younger generation for the challenges and opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution. By integrating aviation and aerospace courses into the SHS curriculum, Ghana is positioning itself as a leader in STEM education in the African continent.
