Dr. Lwidiko Edward of Projekt Inspire made the remarks at the Nelson Mandela-African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) during an event specially prepared for secondary school students studying science.
Arusha. Shortage of laboratory equipment has impacted heavily on the teaching of science subjects in schools, according to an expert.
Dr. Lwidiko Edward of Projekt Inspire made the remarks at the Nelson Mandela-African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) during an event specially prepared for secondary school students studying science.
He said one of the reasons why only a few students pursued science subjects was because of poorly-equiped laboratories. Some schools don’t even have labs, he remarked.
Dr. Edward added that the widening gap between students taking science subjects and those who skipped should be addressed through collective efforts by stakeholders in the education sector.
“The gist of the matter is to have more students embracing science so that the country gets more experts in science, technology and innovation,” he pointed out, noting that technology-led development would spur economic growth.
According to 2004 statistics of the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Science Organization (Unesco), there has been a drop of students taking science subjects in the country.
Opening the training camp, Arusha district commissioner Fadhili Nkurlu underscored the need for the country to invest heavily in teaching science, technology, innovation, engineering and mathematics at all levels of the education ladder.
