By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The 2024 edition of the National Robotic competition for Junior High Schools (JHS) and Senior High Schools (SHS) is scheduled to take place in 22-23 February.
36 schools involving 25 SHSs and 5 JHSs will be taking part in this year’s competition which is being organized by the Coderina Education and Technology foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Speaking in exclusive interview with GBCGHANAONLINE’s Franklin Asare-Donkoh after a presentation ceremony held at the Minister’s conference room, the Country Rep. for Codedina Education and Technology foundation, Mr. Ben Amoakoh announced that winners from the two days robotics competition will join other winners from around the world to compete for the prestigious global prize.
Mr. Amoakoh explained that the 36 SHSs and 5 JHSs were selected from the over 100 schools which are under the program currently across Ghana.
He revealed that more than 5000 children and students have been trained in robotics programs since 2021.
According to him, the First Lego League (FLL) challenge is a powerful program that uses robotics and project based learning principles to engage younger children in playful and meaningful learning within elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) while helping them to discover the fun in science and technology.
“This exciting competition promises to inspire young minds worldwide. Fostering innovation through the world of robotics and engineering,” he added
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour in his earlier statement before receiving the items on behalf of the ministry for onward distribution to the competing schools ensured that the Nana Addo-Bawumia led government through the Education Ministry is working around the clock to ensure that no Ghanaian students is left out of the global robotics space.
According to him robotics is taken the center stage of the global workforce.
“Today factory hands (on skilled staff) are been replaced by robots thus putting these workers at risk.
The government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo don’t want our future generations to suffer from this situation. Thu the government and the ministry working together with its partners are leaving no stone unturned to ensure our future generations become the brains the mounting, installing and operating those robotic machines and systems,” the Deputy Education Minister explained.
The 25 second cycling schools which selected to participate in this year’s competition are: Presbyterian Boys SHS, Okomfo Anokye SHS, Aburi, Wesley Girls SHS, Mfantsiman Girls, Mfantsipim SHS, Adisadel College, St Augustine’s College, Wesley Grammar SHS, St. Louis SHS, Bosomtwe Girls STEM, Akim Swedru SHS, Assin Manso SHS, Saviour SHS, and Galaxy International School.
The rest are: Konongo Odumanse SHS, Attafuah Technical, Koforidua Technical, Achimota College, Tema Technical Institute, Kumasi Technical, Pilot Technical, Applied Technical Institute, St Pual’s Technical, and Mt. Sinai SHS.
The five (5) selected basic schools are: Achimota basic, Adweso Cluster, Konongo Mines, Assin Kruwa, Bosomtwe STEM basic, and State Experimental Kumasi.