Academicians working towards the implementation of the Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), initiative in Nigeria have called for the integration of the scheme into pre-primary, primary and secondary schools to enhance growth in technological advancement.

Piloted in six states of Adamawa, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Rivers and Sokoto with 222 teachers selected by the Ministry of Education for interaction with the implementation team, the project is said to be critical for Nigeria’s competitiveness in science and technology-driven world.

Speaking at the presentation of the project report in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the Implementation Team, Prof Emeritas Naorgu, expressed confidence that STEAM would promote interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, problem-solving and hands-on activities.

She added that its integration in schools across the country would also improve the performance of candidates in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.

She however lamented that despite the benefits of STEAM education, in Nigeria the project lacks the necessary priorities and support for its full implementation and therefore stressed the need for the initiative to imbue students with the ability for critical thinking at a very young age.

“When you introduce design into learning, programme it makes it better and you can start teaching children at a younger age, moulding them to have critical minds at a younger age,” she said.

She disclosed that the Nigerian Academy of Science, The Nigerian Academy of Letters and the Nigerian Young Academy are working with the implementation team for the objective of implementing locally appropriate STEAM education policies into the curriculum of schools, strengthening the capacity of teachers and creating awareness in the schools.

Naorgu said one of the achievements recorded so far by the project was its inclusion in the 2024 education roadmap of the federal government, and a draft policy document for STEAM in Nigeria.

She recommended the replication of the STEAM educational activities in the 30 remaining states of the federation, noting that the team expects improvement in UTME performance in the 6 pilot states of the STEAM project.