Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Ondo state is set to get a boost following a partnership of the state government, the Northumbria University, United Kingdom and STEMRES Learning Initiative.

The partnership is facilitated by the Ondo State Office of Innovation and Partnerships.

At a meeting with the Ondo state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Femi Agagu, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Innovation and Partnerships, Joel Ogunsola said the partnership will shore up the capacity of tutors across the different cadres of educational institutions in the state on STEM.

Leader of the visiting Northumbria University, delegation, Dr Opeyemi Ajayi promised more collaboration with the state government to promote effective teaching of science and technology in the state.

Also speaking, another member of the delegation and Outreach Specialist at Northumbria University, UK, Joey Shemell said the partnership will facilitate training of selected science teachers from primary and secondary schools in the state on strategic approaches to breaking stereotypes in the teaching of STEM.

In his response, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Femi Agagu said Ondo state government will continue to deepen its partnership with national and international partners to expand the frontiers of science and technology education in the state.

He said the present government’s commitment to education, science and technology has led to lots of award and laurels won by school children in the state on STEM, even outside the country.

Agagu expressed hope that the collaboration with Northumbria University will further help to record more success on STEM as well as gender equality and digital technology education.

The visiting team later organised a workshop session for science teachers from primary and secondary schools in Akure South local government area to help deconstruct stereotypes on STEM, as well as understand innovative approaches to make it interesting for school children.

One the instructors from STEMRES Learning Initiative, Peter Sanchez led a practical demonstration session on science craft with cardboard paper, emphasizing that creativity is the most essential element in the teaching of STEM.

Some of the participants, Mrs Ayeni, a teacher at Christ Anglican Primary School, Akure and Mrs Olanipekun Olamide-Kofoworola, a chemistry teacher at St Louis Girls Secondary School, Akure, appreciated the opportunity to learn new approaches to deliver on their job, the knowledge of STEM.