A Diagnosis of STEM Education in Ghana’s General and Technical Secondary Schools : Executive Summary

Overview & Synopsis

This study was commissioned to conduct a diagnostic evaluation of enrollment levels in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, as well as the quality of training (especially development of employability skills) at the secondary education level in Ghana, with the intent of informing priority policy recommendations and opportunities for strategic investment. Specifically, the goal was to assess the state of STEM education in general and technical education at the secondary level in terms of student enrollment and performance, quality of teachers, curricula, and labor market alignment, infrastructure, and existing STEM-related policies. In addition, the study aimed to identify the gaps in STEM and digital education in Ghana’s general and technical secondary schools. The methodology of the study involved a desk study, literature review, primary data collection through surveys, in-person consultations and interviews, and conducting a skills gap analysis, which evaluated key areas affecting the effectiveness of STEM and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The literature review focused on education, including enrollment, curriculum, teaching quality, infrastructure, policy, and skills alignment.