The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Innovation Academy (STEAMI Academy) in collaboration with the Africa Education Watch has organized an online career programme guigance fair for JHS graduates who have just written the Basic Education Certifcate Examinations (BECE).
Over 70 schools and individuals joined the online session.
In his opening remarks, the founder of the Saba Innovation Hub and STEAMI Academy, Prof. Courage Kosi Setsoafia Saba, who is also a lecturer at the University for Development Studies, Tamale, recounted the emotional trauma some Senior High School (SHS) Students go through because of the choices of programmes due to inadequate career programme guidance at the basic school level.
“The pupils need guidance to make informed Choices of programmes they want to undertake and that is the only surest way to keep them focused.”
Executive Director of the Africa Education Watch Kofi Asare and Prof. Saba took over 500 pupils through how to choose their schools and plan their career programmes succesfully.
Interacting with the pupils, Mr. Asare revealed that only 40% of the students who graduated from JHS last year gained admissions into second cycle institutions.
“I encourage you as students to opt for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as the newly established STEM Senior High Schools doted across the country.
Prof. Saba took his turn by taking participants through how to plan to choose their careers programmes at the second cycle institutions.
He touched on the importance of planning to choose a suitable career, when to start planning to choose a career, and factors to consider when planning to choose a career.
“It is important to choose a suitable career because of job satisfaction, which is one of the banes of the African society”
“Some students are forced to choose programmes against their wishes which affect their productivity and career progression later in life”
He opines that, career planning, must start from infancy and at home, schools, churches, mosques
The STEAMI Academy teaches Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Innovation at the basic schools from Class 1 (Basic 1) to JHS 3 (Basic 9).
The STEAMI Academy also has the STEAMI ON WHEEL programme where they move from school to school to teach practical STEAMI sessions upon request.