Students in basic schools nationwide will see significant improvement in their Science and Maths with the introduction of practical and dynamic methods by Japanese volunteers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), dispatched to various deprived communities across the country.

Speaking at the launch of its 40th anniversary, Programme Officer of JICA, Humphrey Y. Kumah, explained that the initiative which has been ongoing at the Senior High level has produced good results over time. He however said that focus will be shifted moving forward, to the basic levels to help students have a better understanding of these subjects using local materials they can relate to.

“We have observed that science and mathematics is a difficult subject for Ghanaian students. We also observed that science and maths are taught theoretically in Ghanaian schools and that is why they are difficult subjects. We now dispatch professional teachers to district education offices who are assisting the Ghanaian teachers in the preparation and use of teaching and learning materials. They are also helping the teachers by organizing workshops on how to use local materials in the preparation of Teaching/Learning Materials, to help students develop interest in the subjects”.

Health education for school children, he said, will also be another focus area moving forward.

“We are also assigning a number of volunteers to district education offices to support school health activities. Mostly these volunteers will support by organizing health education for the school children and also conduct screening for the students, and when a health condition is detected, such students will be referred to health institutions for treatment.”

With practicality and dynamics, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), through its volunteering program; Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) is making significant impact and improving lives in several Ghanaian rural communities across Ghana.

The Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), comprising Japanese volunteers spanning age 20 and 69 have for 40 years have embarked on various developmental projects in very deprived areas nationwide, focusing on education, health, agriculture, and sanitation among others.

The volunteers in collaboration with other non-governmental organizations and agencies, provide assistance using their unique technological skills and know-how, blended with the studied culture of the persons in the various areas.

Having progressed over the years, JOCV currently has 82 volunteers currently working in communities in all 10 regions of Ghana, the highest number of Japanese volunteers assigned to a particular country worldwide at a given time.

Japan has invested severally in Ghanaian projects over the years as part of efforts to strengthen friendship ties and goodwill. This year marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ghana.