Obuasi, June 28, GNA - The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has been applauded for providing technical and financial assistance to promote the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in basic schools in the country.

Mr Joe Boampong, Adansi, West District Chief Executive (DCE), who made the commendation, said the capacities of teachers had been built to facilitate the teaching of the two disciplines, under the Ghana Education Service (GES)/JICA Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM) project.

The DCE said this in a speech read on his behalf at the opening of the First Science and Mathematics Fair, organised by the District Education Office in collaboration with JICA under the theme: "Making Science and Mathematics Interesting To The Child", at Obuasi at the weekend.

Mr Boampong expressed satisfaction that since the commencement of the project in 2002, at least two teachers from each basic school in the district had upgraded their knowledge in science and mathematics at the Akrokerri Training College.

He said: "These are positive signs of efforts being made by the GES and JICA to improve the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in our schools".

Mr Boampong advised parents and teachers to support programmes that could assist unearth the creative talents in children and encourage them to sustain it.

He said the district assembly had identified education as the bedrock for development and would, therefore, ensure the improvement of that sector.

Mr Kazuro Shibuya, STM Administrative Co-ordinator, urged teachers and school children in the area to embrace the project to enhance the teaching and learning of science and mathematics.

Miss Rosina Adabor, the Resource Person of STM, appealed to the teachers to avail themselves of the opportunities being offered by the project to enable them to teach the two disciplines effectively. Mr Samuel Kofi Okyere, District Director of Education, said the JICA would soon end its assignment in the district and appealed to the assembly to provide funds to sustain the scheme.

The fair coincided with the finals of a science and mathematics quiz, which was also organised by the GES/JICA STM project for schools in the district.

Obuasi Methodist Junior Secondary School (JSS) came first followed by Queen Egyimah JSS, with Obuasi JSS complex placing third.