Access to digital resources can boost STEM education for girls ― Experts

Experts in the education sector in the country have said easy access to digital tools and resources by school girls can significantly boost their interest in the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related courses.

The experts, who included the Deputy Director, Research and External Linkages, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Dr Adefunke Ekine; founder of She Code Africa (a non-profit making organisation), Ada Nduka Oyom and Judith Okonkwo, a technology expert, made this assertion at the March edition of EdTech Mondays, an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Co-Creation Hub in Lagos.

Speaking at the virtual event with a theme, “Celebrating African Women in Education and Technology,” Ekine decried the low enrolment of young girls compared with their male counterparts particularly in engineering and technology-related courses, attributing the development to a lack of having direct access to many of them to digital tools such as video and resources.

She noted that the problem is compounded by the abysmal quality of teaching in some foundational subjects such as Mathematics, adding that teaching in Nigeria is more abstract than functional.

The don, therefore, said there is the need for teachers to adopt a storytelling approach using technology to elicit interest in the girl-child participation in STEM-related courses.

In their own separate contributions, both Oyom and Judith noted that young girls on their part must be optimistic that anything is achievable if they set their minds to achieve it.

But even at that, they said the stakeholders in both public and private sectors would need to support the girls with digital tools and resources that would spur their interest in STEM education and expose them to other opportunities.

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