The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called for the implementation of STEM educational curricula in schools across Nigeria to combat gender stereotypes against girls.
The call was made by APWEN’s president, Jumoke Eterigh at
the launch of the ‘STEMitOut4Girls’ campaign, organized by APWEN in
collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board
(NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State’s capital.
According to Eterigh, STEM education, which stands for
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, provides students,
particularly girls, with the knowledge and skills required to excel in today’s
rapidly evolving world, where technology plays a crucial role in all
industries.
She explained that the ‘STEMitOut4Girls’ campaign aims to
increase awareness that engineering is a viable career option for girls,
thereby increasing the number of female engineers in Nigeria.
Speaking further, the APWEN President stressed that “gender
divides in education have perpetuated learning and skills crises, including a
lack of access to quality learning opportunities in Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are typically credited to
boys.
“Despite girls typically outperforming boys in reading
skills in most regions, they remain underrepresented in top-performing STEM
subjects, resulting in a shortage of women in STEM fields.”
Eterigho further affirmed that STEM education, as advocated
by APWEN, is essential for unlocking students’ potential and providing them
with the skills they need to succeed.
The ‘STEMitOut4Girls’ program, with the theme ‘Interest and
Proficiency in STEM,’ was a three-day event held at Ayalla Hotel and St. Jude
Girls College, Amarata, Yenagoa.
The event involved training for the trainers, with
collegiate from Niger Delta University, Ammasoma, and Federal University,
Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area, as well as teachers from seven public
schools, including those with special needs.
The schools trained were St. Jude Girls School, Amarata;
Government Science and Technical College, Okaka (GSTC); Community Secondary
School (CSS), Okutukutu; Community Girls Secondary School, Agudama-Epie (GSS);
Community Secondary Secondary School, Yenezuegine; Central Epie Secondary
School Opolo; and Bayelsa State School for Children with Special Needs.
During the event, Eterigho commended NCDMB’s management for
funding the project and bestowed the ‘Diversity Champion Award’ on the
Executive Secretary, Simbi Wabote, for his tireless efforts to promote and
empower girls.
The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Wabote, represented by
the Deputy Manager, Capacity Building Division, Mr. Mofe Megbele, expressed the
board’s readiness to partner with APWEN programs and policies to promote
capacity development for girls and women.