SCIENCE CENTRES TO BE RE-EQUIPPED (BACK PAGE, JAN 21)

A contract to revamp all Science Resource Centres in second cycle institutions in the country has been awarded to Douglas Arthur Limited, the local representative of Philip Harris International.
Under the deal, the laboratories of all public second cycle institutions are to be re-equipped with modern computers and accessories to make them more operational and effective in the teaching and learning of science.
Under the contract, new Science Resource Centres are to be established at the University of Winneba and University of Cape Coast to train teachers in medern techniques in the teaching of science before they enter the teaching field.
This, according to the GES, is to motivate students interested in science to concentrate on the study of the subject to build their capacity in a more efficient and effective way towards sustainable socio-economic development of the country in future.
In 2001, Douglas Arthur Limited was mandated to undertake maintenance work on the resource centres, but stopped midway after covering only 12 centres due to inadequate funding.
The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, made the announcement in an address read on his behalf by Mr Joseph Kwabena Onyina, the Ashanti Regional Director of the GES, during the opening ceremony of a three-week workshop for Science Teachers in the Northern Sector.
He pointed out that revamping the centres in second cycle institutions was important because it would have positive impact on both the teaching and learning of science.
Explaining, he said obsolete science equipment "and defective teaching and learning of science in senior high schools across the country "was a challenge to the GES, which needed urgent attention.
He said enough funding had now been secured since September last year to undertake the maintenance, refurbishment and the replacement of computers and accessories, as well as science equipment
About 250 science teachers from the Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper West and Upper East regions are taking part in the workshop, which is intended to make them more efficient in the teaching of science in their various institutions.