UEW’s SACOST Explores STEM Education Partnership with Gomoa Central Education Directorate
A three-member delegation from the Centre for School and Community Science and Technology Studies (SACOST) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) held discussions with the Gomoa Central District Education Directorate to establish a strategic partnership aimed at promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education among basic school learners in the district.
The delegation, led by the Head of SACOST, Prof. Peter Akayuure, paid a courtesy call on the Gomoa Central District Education Office on Monday, 7th September, 2026, to explore avenues for collaboration and extend UEW’s Community STEM Club model to schools and communities within the district.
Speaking during the engagement, Prof. Akayuure explained that SACOST, a research centre under UEW, focuses on STEM education, indigenous science, contextual pedagogy and community-based research initiatives. He averred that the Centre successfully implemented a Community STEM Club at UEW where children are introduced to robotics, coding, web development and electronics through age-appropriate learning modules.
According to him, the proposed partnership seeks to leverage the University’s expertise to nurture problem-solving, creativity and innovation among young learners while supporting the government's STEM education agenda.
"We have shifted from theoretical teaching to focusing on real-life problem-solving. Our STEM programmes allow children as young as five to create practical innovations such as mobility aids for the visually impaired and automated systems that respond to movement." Prof. Akayuure said.
He emphasised that the University’s impact would be strengthened through partnerships with local communities and educational stakeholders, adding that SACOST was prepared to provide technical expertise, teacher capacity-building opportunities, research support and STEM-focused community programmes.
The delegation also outlined plans for structured STEM training in robotics, coding, mobile application development and electronics as well as annual exhibitions where learners would showcase innovations developed through the programme.
Responding on behalf of the Gomoa Central District Director of Education, Mr. Ebenezer Sekyi, Human Resource Officer of the Directorate, welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism about its potential impact on STEM education in the district. He said that Gomoa Central currently oversees 44 basic schools and three senior high schools and pledged the Directorate’s support for the successful implementation of the partnership.
Mr. Sekyi described the collaboration as timely, particularly as the government continues to prioritise STEM and digital literacy programmes across the country.
Also contributing to the discussion, Mr. Richard Ayittey, ICT Coordinator of the Directorate, underscored the importance of collaboration between public institutions in advancing educational innovation. He noted that the proposed initiative would complement ongoing efforts to promote practical and technology-driven learning among learners in the district.
Research Fellows at SACOST, Dr. Victus Kumazah and Dr. Ethel Ansaah Addae, highlighted the Centre’s experience in delivering hands-on STEM training and stressed the importance of parental involvement and community support in sustaining such programmes. They noted that the initiative would focus on nurturing committed learners and equipping them with skills relevant to the digital age.
The engagement concluded with both institutions expressing a shared commitment to formalising the partnership and working together to expand access to quality STEM education, innovation and digital skills development for young learners in the Gomoa Central District.
