Login

Lost your password?

Sign Up

Register

Login

Login

Lost your password?

Register

Monday, May 16, 2022
  • Home
  • Banking
  • Industry & Trade
  • Investing
  • Money Deals
  • Regional Markets
  • Tech & Biz
  • Countries
  • Opinion

Africa's
Investment
Gateway

The Exchange
  • Login
  • Register
Subscribe
This Month's Edition
Previous Editions
  • Home
  • Banking
  • Industry & Trade
  • Investing
  • Money Deals
  • Regional Markets
  • Tech & Biz
  • Countries
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
The Exchange
  • Home
  • Banking
  • Industry & Trade
  • Investing
  • Money Deals
  • Regional Markets
  • Tech & Biz
  • Countries
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
The Exchange
LOGIN
students

Source: Association for the Development of Education in Africa

Catch them young: Empowering young Africans through STEM

It is estimated that by 2035, the working population in Sub-Saharan Africa will surpass that of the rest of the world.

by Evelyn Shumba
February 12, 2022
in Africa's Development, Tech & Business
0
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

For quite sometime now, there have been raging debates about the practicality of the school curriculum in some African countries.

For the longest time, African schools continued along the syllabi introduced by the colonial predecessors. There was a general outcry from African educationalists who now questioned the relevance of material that was abstract, theoretic, and not contemporary to suit the needs of today.

The world we live in has evolved through technological advancements, and it is important now more than ever, to align the educational system with developments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, commonly termed STEM. 

Emmnuella Mayaki
Emmanuella Mayaki
Source: Afrotech

Grassroots introduction of STEM

Recently, a young Nigerian girl aged ten, Emmanuella Mayaki, made headlines after she was hired by a UK school to teach the basics of coding, HTML, and CSS to peers her age. This brilliant young girl was selected for her extraordinary IT skill and knowledge. This highlights how the early introduction of STEM can make a positive impact on the African narrative. Studies have shown that the early introduction of STEM (as early as four years old) has an impact on a child’s IQ going forward. This is because young minds are still imaginative and are receptive to new concepts and ideas. As children grow older, their imagination becomes convergent, which then lowers their IQ as they conform to an educational system that encourages regurgitation more than imaginative thinking.

The importance of STEM in modern society

Our world has changed, and we need to adapt accordingly. Science is all around us and technology is expanding faster than we could have imagined. In the past few decades, STEM occupations have risen, with STEM degree holders earning higher incomes even if they are not employed in STEM-related professions. With a lot of professions becoming redundant, it is crucial to make informed decisions to stay ahead of the game.

Some of the world’s leading economies have significantly invested in STEM, and this has had a direct impact on the sustainable growth and stability of their economies. Countries that are lagging in the STEM revolution end up being high importers of new technologies, with the export countries being the dominant players on the economic front.

STEM education creates active thinkers and not passive observers. The early introduction of such an education system will encourage innovative thinkers that will be relevant in the future. As STEM takes a hands-on and minds-on learning approach, children find it easier to grasp concepts through practical participation as compared to the theoretic approach to learning.

stem in africa
STEM education is important

Practical solutions to adopting STEM

In any project, the foundation is key. Just as builders ensure a strong and steady foundation for the building under construction, so is the importance of early adoption of STEM education for young minds. Technological innovation is largely driven by the young generation. Africa enjoys a young population, with more than 60% being under the age of 25. It is estimated that by 2035, the working population in Sub-Saharan Africa will surpass that of the rest of the world. With most of the world having an older population, Africa has a competitive advantage for economic growth and development through young, creative, and innovative minds.

To engage young minds in STEM, it needs to be integrated into the education system in fun ways. For example, games and applications can be designed to be enjoyable and interactive, whilst honing skills in scientific experiments and inventive thinking. Pre-schools and junior schools should therefore be provided with resources that support STEM learning.

Although the school plays a crucial role in advancing STEM, parents should also be actively involved in nurturing scientific curiosity in young minds. This can be by assisting in researching scientific inquiries from the young child through the day-to-day activities or even enrolling your child in extra-curricular activities that support STEM.

In universities and technical colleges, investment in departments that focus on scientific research and development will go a long way in helping the continent realize its STEM goals. If engineering students are allowed to design and create practical solutions to everyday needs, Africa will soon be a leader in tech and development. Annually, many motor vehicles are imported into Africa. Instead of buying cars from overseas markets, these students can design and make an engine for Africa, by Africans.

One of the major challenges currently faced by most African countries is that of the brain drain phenomenon. STEM careers pay more in developed countries than in Africa. This has resulted in the continent losing many capable STEM minds to better economies. If Africa implements policies to retain its STEM-educated population, this will likely change the continent’s narrative through creative and disruptive tech achievements.

stem programs in africa
Stem Programs In Africa

Notable wins 

It is praiseworthy to note that various African governments are investing in STEM education through awarding scholarships to students pursuing STEM careers. As financial barriers are lifted through this governmental support, more students will enroll in STEM programs at higher learning institutes, thereby establishing a generation of innovative thinkers and future science leaders.

In line with vision 2030, the African Union has been encouraging member states to invest at least 1% of its GDP on research and development associated with STEM. Should countries adopt this policy, Africa is sure to make great strides in innovation and tech.

Golab Goes Africa is an initiative that encourages scientific engagement and experimentation through giving access to labs, learning applications, and spaces to teachers and students. This project has been set to pilot in a few countries, with the hope of establishment in other countries on the continent.

Conclusion

Africa is renowned for its abundance of natural resources. Unfortunately, most leave the continent as raw materials as very little, if any, of the processing is done on the continent. When the processed raw materials are then brought back onto the continent, the price of the processed goods is probably ten times the amount the raw material was sold for. 

Looking at the energy sector, lithium-ion batteries have become heavily relied on worldwide. In the world, Zimbabwe has been ranked 5th among the top lithium producers. With the high demand for lithium, imagine the possibilities for economic growth should the lithium be mined and processed in the country, and then sold to the rest of the world as finished products. All this can be made possible with adequate investment in and successful implementation of STEM education for the young generation, the future leaders of Africa.

Read also: Future of Work: Africa should rethink its education, skills

Tags: African Continent StemAfrican Countries Stemempowering young africansfuture leadersinspiring young africansScientific Learning AfricaSTEM AfricaSTEM educationStem in africaStem Students AfricaTechnology in Africa

STATE OF ECONOMY - GET THE REPORT

ASSESSING EAST AFRICA

Loading...

Evelyn Shumba

Evelyn is a finance and business content writer with a passion for business news in Africa. Her expertise is in analyzing African equities and telling the truth when it comes to doing business on the continent!

Related Posts

www.theexchange.africa
Investing

Twiga Foods invests $10 million to launch new subsidiary

May 16, 2022
Marketing Manager, Quickteller, Adetayo Teluwo (left); Marketing Manager, Interswitch, Olawale Akanbi; Marketing Manager, Verve International, Enyioma Anaba, during the media launch of a new set of commercials for the respective brands in Lagos/ TheGuardian.ng
Tech & Business

Nigeria: Interswitch secures US$110 million investment to scale up operations

May 16, 2022
A TopUp Mama employee delivering kale (sukuma wiki)/ TopUp Mama
Tech & Business

TopUp Mama seeks to end supply chain woes for Kenyan restaurants

May 15, 2022
Next Post
Burna Boy, a recent African Musician who won a Grammy Award in 2021: Photo by Refinery29: Exchange

How Universal Music Group and Boomplay new deal favours Africa

Buhari to utilize gas for economy uplifting and industrialization

Bean Farmers Reap Big Benefits In Rwanda




This months edition

May Edition

Features

Education Technology (Edtech) in Africa has been on the rise/ Aaron Burden
Tech & Business

Edutech’s role in African development

by Kanyali Muthui
May 12, 2022
0

Due to the pandemic, the topic of innovation in education has never been more crucial.  While most developed countries moved...

Read more
A researcher in Nairobi Kenya/ brookings.edu
Tech & Business

Investing in Africa’s science and technology: Where are we now?

by Kanyali Muthui
May 12, 2022
0

The continent’s digital revolution can largely be driven by building the necessary skills for the short- and long-term future, and...

Read more
Fintech revolution in Africa
Tech & Business

The Fintech Revolution in Africa’s FX Markets

by Kanyali Muthui
May 11, 2022
0

With over 548 million registered mobile money users in sub-Saharan Africa, increased internet access and readily available mobile money solutions,...

Read more
www.theexchange.africa
Countries

US – Nigeria Trade Relations: An Overview

by Wanjiku Njugunah
May 2, 2022
0

Nigeria is currently the United States' 54th largest goods trading partner, with US$7.8 billion in total goods trade as of...

Read more
A previous conference for African Insurtech sector. The Insurtech boom is deepening insurance uptake in Africa. www.theexchange.africa
Tech & Business

Insurtech boom deepening the uptake of insurance in Africa

by june njoroge
May 2, 2022
0

Kenya-based Pula is another distinguished insurtech making waves in the continent. It provides small scale farmers with agricultural insurance and...

Read more

News

Banking
Industry & Trade
Investing
Money Deals
Regional Markets
Tech & Biz
Opinion

Countries

Kenya
Tanzania
Uganda
Burundi
Rwanda
Southern Africa
Ethiopia

More

My Account
Contact us
Advertise
About us
Help Center

Subscribers Center

E-paper
Premium Stories
Education Rates
Corporate Subscriptions
Weekely Newsletter

  • My account
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Refund Policy – The Exchange
  • Sitemap

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Banking
  • Industry & Trade
  • Investing
  • Money Deals
  • Regional Markets
  • Tech & Biz
  • Countries
  • Opinion
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart

© 2021 The Exchange - Powered by MediapixManaged by Supported by Digihandler,

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In