Associate Professor at the University of Ghana Mathematics Department and advocate for gender inclusivity in STEM, Chisara Peace Ngozi Ogbogbo, has called for the introduction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education at the basic school level to help children develop interest and skills from an early age.
Her comments follow remarks by President John Dramani Mahama during the launch of the National BSTEM Programme for basic schools, where he recounted how harsh teaching methods during his basic education discouraged him from pursuing his dream of becoming an civil engineer.
Speaking on Campus Exclusive on Radio Univers, Professor Ogbogbo stressed the importance of making STEM subjects practical and relatable to young learners to improve their understanding and interest.
According to her, mathematics remains one of the most misunderstood subjects because many students fail to see its relevance in everyday life and technology.
“We can’t blame the teachers fully, but we can do more by making the whole thing, especially mathematics, practical. It is by showing the applications of mathematics in the environment and in everyday living and making the child understand from the beginning that mathematics is everywhere,” she said.
Professor Ogbogbo explained that many technological innovations people enjoy today are built on mathematical principles, making it essential for children to appreciate the subject early.
She described mathematics as an enjoyable subject that requires discipline, concentration and constant practice, adding that many students avoid it because they are unwilling to dedicate enough time to solving problems.
“The truth is mathematics is a very awesome subject. It’s very enjoyable. For mathematics, there are hours of solving problems. That’s what people are running away from. You need to be diligent and committed, a lot of time and full concentration,” she stated.
She further noted that modern trends where young people focus heavily on entertainment instead of intellectually challenging activities contribute to declining interest in STEM-related fields.
She therefore called for deliberate efforts to orient children toward discipline and hard work, insisting that success in mathematics is not based solely on natural ability but on determination and commitment.
“It’s not about who can naturally do mathematics. It’s about who is willing to do well in it. It’s about making up the child’s mind that they need to be committed and concentrate fully, and before you know it, they are breaking through in mathematics,” she added.
She believes introducing STEM education at the foundational level will help Ghana nurture more innovators and problem-solvers capable of contributing to national development.
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Story by Mimi Sapong | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
