Accra , Aug. 17, GNA- Government on Monday launched a Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme (MASTESS), which would benefit 41,400 brilliant but needy students annually, to enable them to pursue both second and tertiary education.

400 street hawkers and porters with basic education qualifications will also benefit from the second-cycle component of the scheme to acquire special skills at the vocational and technical institutions.

It will be funded by two per cent deductions from the Ghana Education Trust Fund which will be transferred to a special fund called MASTESS Fund to be disbursed by the scholarship secretariat.

Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology who launched the scheme in Accra said it was meant to whip-up enthusiasm in the study of science, mathematics and technology especially at the second cycle institutions.

Ms Ayittey said teaching and learning of science, technology and mathematics equipped students with analytical skills paving the way to embark on exciting and dynamic careers, which tend to advance socio-economic development.

She said it was a fact that “the teaching and learning of mathematics and science have been on the decline, especially in the second cycle schools”.

Ms Ayittey cited the problem to lack of motivation for teachers and lecturers, non-availability of animation and equipment for the teaching and learning of the subjects and perception among students that mathematics and science are difficult subjects.

She said this necessitated the institution of the scheme, which was also in fulfilment of the government’s promise to provide need-based bursaries and scholarships for tertiary education in pure and applied mathematics, science and technology.

Ms Ayittey said her sector ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Education to implement the scheme.

She said offices would be created in all districts across the country to receive applications from qualified students to benefit from the scheme.

She said the implementing agency would also embark on media campaigns and announcements on when and how to apply.

Source: GNA