Science and Technology Key Drivers to Socio-Economic and Political Development
– Dr. Hafsat Ganduje
INFOMEDIA – The wife of Kano State Governor, Dr. Hafsat Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has called for the consistent application of science, engineering and technology as the veritable platform to the socio-economic and political development in Nigeria, saying that the system would put Nigeria in the global map of economic advancement.
She called for an improvement of budgetary allocations at the federal, state and local government to cater for science and technology.
Dr. Ganduje was speaking at the 2nd National Conference of the Department of Science and Technology Education with the theme: Issues in Steam Education in the 21st Century held in Bayero University, Kano organized by the Department of Science and Technology Education.
The First Lady emphasized that many countries in the world have made tremendous impact into their economy through adoption and application of science and technology, saying that that when covid-19 struck in 2020 Nigeria the entire world went to an abrupt stand-still, but as a result of supplication of technology students used online studies. “The Kano State Government introduced virtual learning and it worked perfectly for students, she added.
She congratulated Bayero University, Kano for having the Department of Science and Technology Education, saying that it was the norm all over the world. She added that the Kano State Government has expanded the frontier of science and technology education with additional schools in order to prepare young students with skills and knowledge in the field.
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The keynote speaker, Professor Mamman Abdu Wasugu there is a mismatch between policy makers claim of what should and what they actually promote and that there is also a widening gap between school science and Industries
He further stated that there is a widening gap between children’s expectation of science and what they actually experienced. Equally important, there is a growing public discontent over the poor standard of our students performance in science subjects.
“Today, science in the contemporary global world is changing the reprehensive pace and organizational form and its very spirit of discovery and forging frontiers are now giving way to an idea of science as wealth,” he said.
According to him, China has become a shining example in 2019 by successfully landing on the other side of the moon where no one else has been to before now.
For over forty years china declared science and technology to be strategic engine of sustainable economic development
Prof Wasugu noted that the truth is that science teaching in our schools is not producing the desired effect as a result of some problems stemming from classroom practice and that we fail to recognize and accept the fact that in the area of science and technology most of the developing nations are between 20-30 years behind the developed nations.
He said Nigeria needs Science Technology Education and Mathematics (STEAM) education that will lead and fuel the emergence of a 21st century workforce, highly adopt at meeting the needs of the public, private and labour markets to usher in growth in job opportunities and wealth creation. He said there is a need to develop a new science standard in line with escalating global inter-dependence and competition both in which it affect STEAM education.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Sagir Abbas said the topic of the conference was apt because STEAM by design presents a Trans-disciplinary approach to learning that challenges young minds with the task of making a better world.
The Head, Department of Science and Technology Education, Dr. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad said the objective of the conference was to bring scholars, researchers and other key stakeholders together to see how to integrate the teachings of science, technology, education and mathematics, as well as brainstorm on discussing topical issues related to the five disciplines in order to proffer far reaching recommendations that would be adopted in the country.
