Integrate STEAM in basic education, experts urge FG

A team of experts overseeing implementation of the Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) initiative has urged the Federal Government to ensure integration of the scheme into pre-primary, primary and secondary schools to enhance growth in technological advancement.

Speaking at the presentation of the STEAM project report in Abuja, the Chairman of the Implementation Team, Prof. Emeritus Nwaorgu, said addressing hindrances to the STEAM project was critical for Nigeria’s competitiveness in the science and technology-driven world.

Nwaorgu highlighted the imperative of integration of STEAM into the basic education curriculum, saying it would promote interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on activities.

She added that the integration of STEAM in schools across the country would also improve the performance of candidates in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), lamenting, however, that despite the benefits of STEAM education, in Nigeria the project lacks the necessary priorities and support for its full implementation.

She maintained that Nigeria’s need for the STEAM initiative to imbue students with the ability for critical thinking, at a very young age.

“When you introduce design into learning, programme it makes it better and you can start teaching children at a younger age, moulding them to have critical minds at a younger age,” she said.

Nwaorgu disclosed that the project, which was piloted in the 6 states of Adamawa, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Rivers, and Sokoto, had 222 teachers selected by the Ministry of Education for interaction with the implementation team.

She added that already the scheme, which started in 2023, is being implemented by some private schools, while public schools have yet to adopt the initiative.

She disclosed that the Nigerian Academy of Science, The Nigerian Academy of Letters, and the Nigerian Young Academy are working with the implementation team to implementstrengthenopriate STEAM education policies into the curriculum of schools, strengthening the capacity of teachers, and creating awareness in the schools.

Nwaorgu said one of the achievements recorded so far by the project was its inclusion in the 2024 education roadmap of the federal government and a draft policy document for STEAM in Nigeria.

She recommended the replication of the STEAM educational activities in the 30 remaining states of the federation, noting that the team expects improvement in UTME performance in the 6 pilot states of the STEAM project.

Earlier, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who was represented by JAMB’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Mufutau Bello, pointed out that the project should be the beginning of collaboration with various academies in Nigeria.

Oloyede expressed hope that soon, the team would leverage the many opportunities available in research to impact the education sector positively.

Also speaking, the representative of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof Salihu Mustapha, said there was increased awareness amongst schools on STEAM education because of the activities of the team.

Mustapha assured that the academy will see to the full implementation of the project while expressing hope that, given its importance, the project should be implemented in all states of the federation.