Academic experts have called on government at all levels to allocate special funding for Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria as means to encourage students and boost academics in the country.
This was the consensus of educationists and the representatives of the ministry of education in Oyo State at the launch of the UTME Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Clinic by the Alfred Komolafe Educational Foundation (AKEF) in collaboration with the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) and Mathematics Association of Nigeria (MAN), at the Bishop Phillips Academy, Iwo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The chairman State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nuerini Adeniran, however, noted at the event that the Oyo State government will not relent in its efforts in taking education in the state to a greater height as well as will encourage any organisation and well-meaning Nigerians within the state and beyond to support the education system of the state to an enviable state.
Adeniran, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of SUBEB, Mr. Olusanjo Adeniyi at the event said that the government was ready to support any like minds that will join forces to boost the education system in any area, while he also commended the brains behind the Alfred Komolafe Educational Foundation (AKEF) for their commitment to empower pupils and provide easy access to education.
The founder of the initiative, Dr. Alfred Komolafe, stressed that the government at the federal and state levels must provide a good stimulus for pragmatic science and technology education. Therefore, as a matter of urgency, both federal and state legislatures must appropriate special funding for STEM education in Nigeria.
“Though we have charged the government at all levels to allocate funds for Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), we also felt it is important we must give our quota to humanity, especially to my country home. This is why we have launched this initiative as a give back to society. We are providing free extra-curriculum classes for six months in preparation for the UTME examinations, organising a familiarizing UTME test online for students, because the majority of them don’t have personal computers. So, expecting them to perform well without preparing them for online examinations would be an arduous task and We will also provide free Jamb forms to 100 students.
“I especially appreciate the efforts of the Oyo State governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, for his giant strides and relentless efforts in laying a solid educational foundation for students of the state and commitment in reducing unemployment and poverty in the state through his lofty initiatives,” he added.
The chairman on the occasion, Chairman of the Pace-setter Transport Services, Honorable Dare Adeleke noted that STEM is beneficial to the growth of society and country and that the only way Nigeria can hope to measure with other countries, especially advanced countries, in development, is by concentrating on the sciences as the world now is driven by science and technology.
Oyo State governor Senior Special Assistant, Diaspora Affairs, Bolanle Ashabi Sarumi-Aliyu, said that people must appreciate the efforts of the Oyo State government in transforming education, while she also acknowledged the effort of the brains behind the initiative. She also charged citizens, and Diasporans to the government to achieve sustainable growth in the education sector and other areas for a better state and country.
The event also featured award presentations to academic experts including, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State, Post Primary Schools Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Grace Olabisi Oderinde.