Saltpond (C/R), Aug. 30, GNA - The out-going Mfantseman District Director of Education, Mr. Isaac Bart-Addison has called on district assemblies to increase their support for Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) clinics to cover more students due to the interest the programme is generating among the students. Mr. Bart-Addison also called on school authorities, teachers and parents to put in place measures to sustain the achievements of the programme.

He made the call at the closing of a six-day clinic organised by the District Directorate of Education with funds provided by the Mfantseman District Assembly at Saltpond at the weekend. Mr. Bart-Addison urged the participants who were selected from both junior and senior secondary schools in the district to expose their friends, brothers and sisters to the importance of the STME programme, adding, "You are being trained as trainer of trainers."

Giving an overview of the clinic, Miss Vivian Etroo District Co-ordinator of the programme said evaluation showed that the participants' interests in mathematics and science had increased to 84 per cent while expectations were pegged at 71 per cent. Miss Etroo appealed to teachers to find time to help their students to unearth their hidden talents in mathematics and science. The participants, 91 girls and 14 boys were taken through the preparation of carbon dioxide gas, chemical reactions and water treatment.

They were also taught screen-printing, computer lessons, guidance and counselling and also undertook field trips. The participants exhibited projects on signal light, audio amplifier, simple diesel automobile circuit arrangements and improved mower.

The others were extraction of oil from orange peels and biodegradable pesticides from neem tree. Prizes and certificates were awarded to participants.