Nchaban (W/R), Sept 9, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, on Monday emphasised the need for participants at Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) clinics to take advantage being offered them to improve their knowledge in these subjects.

He said the government's decision to spend huge resources to support the organisation of such clinics annually stems from the fact that the neglect of science and technology education would result in social and economic stagnation.

These were contained in an address read for him at the opening of a one-week STME clinic for 200 participants from primary, basic and senior secondary schools in the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said the government would continue to support and to provide incentives to enhance the teaching and learning of science because this has been identified as a catalyst in sustaining the economic and social development programmes of the country.

Mrs Rebecca Dadzie, the Metropolitan Director of Education, commended the Metropolitan assembly for donating 20 million cedis in support of the clinic and said this has enabled the organisers to double the number of participants from 100 in 2002 to 200 this year.

They are made up of 180 girls and 20 boys, and for the first time, pupils from primary schools have been selected as participants. She called on the assembly, NGOs, the various communities and religious organisations to continue to support science education by providing laboratories, materials and equipment, which many schools in the metropolis lack.

Mrs Dadzie suggested that funds from the GETfund should be allocated for the organisations of STME clinic to enhance efficiency.