A first of its kind STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) focused public school will commence operation in March next year, Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has revealed.
Located at East Legon, the four-storey school will focus on STEM education from kindergarten to lower and upper primary through to senior high level. “In March of the upcoming year, a beautiful school will open. A school that begins from kindergarten all the way to high school focused on STEM. A four-storey building – with an elevator and anything you can find in any school in the world – will be opened at East Legon. It is a public school,” he said.
The minister revealed this while delivering a speech at the 17th graduation ceremony of Regent University College of Science and Technology (RUCST), themed ‘STEM education and global partnerships: driving Africa’s resurgence in national development’.
Furthermore, he touted the investments made by government in STEM education under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo, saying: “I do not think our nation has seen this STEM revolution before where we are building schools that begin from kindergarten to high school, giving children STEM opportunities”.
He also underscored the importance of having institutions that are focused on STEM like RUCST to support the country in adapting to changes of recent times.
A total 233 students made up of 197 undergraduates and 36 graduates climaxed their academic journey. Of the total undergraduates, 79 representing 40 percent were males while 118 students, 60 percent, were females. The 36 postgraduates were 19 male students (53 percent) and 17 female students (47 percent).
In attendance were Second Lady, Samira Bawumia; Heads of affiliate universities; Principal Officers, Deans and parents of graduates, among others.
Focusing on the theme, President-RUCST, Nana Yaw Boadi Appiah, noted that it holds immense significance for the institution – and especially in context of the country.
“As we move forward, it is crucial to recognise the pivotal role that STEM education, encompassing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, plays in shaping the trajectory of our nation,” he emphasised.
He explained STEM education as a mind-set, a way of thinking that fosters problem-solving, critical thinking and innovation – not merely about mastering equations or conducting experiments, adding that: “Today’s graduates are not just receiving degrees; they are becoming change-agents, armed with knowledge and skills to propel Ghana forward”.
Emphasising the power of partnership and collaboration in connecting nations and achieving mutual benefits, he urged the graduates to actively seek and grow partnerships which surpass geographical constraints – leading to a collection of best experts, technologies and resources to address challenges in the country.
In a bid to obtain a charter for the university, RUCST, he said the institution has advanced and submitted all requirements to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). Another achievement of the school in 2023 is establishing the Regent Academy, a senior high school.
Mr. Appiah made an appeal for a university-bus in addition to safer pedestrian crossings for the safety of students, as well as fixing the road that leads to the school.
The Founder and Chairman-University Council, Rev. Professor Emmanuel Kingsley Larbi (Ph.D, Edin), in his closing remarks charged the graduates to view their accomplishment as a good foundation for an unending journey of purpose.
At the ceremony’s end, Ababio Jonas Nii Armah was named valedictorian for the 17th graduation after receiving the Overall Best Student award plus two more awards.
