The march to scientific and technological development in Africa

The adage that “The early bird catches the worm” is true in many spheres of life. The adage especially applies in the current time when African countries are trying to catch up with the developed and developing world in the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

In 1963, that is just about 60 years ago, America launched a nation wide project called “Project Talent” with the goal of identifying young persons in the age bracket of 16-18 who had exceptional talent in science and mathematics. A number of aptitude tests in science and mathematics were developed and administered throughout the country to persons in High Schools and in Undergraduate university courses. These tests and their follow-up formed part of the education and training of:

Gifted students with disabilities
Gifted girls
Educational processes for gifted students

One writer wrote the following:

Many of these students will become the leaders of the future in medicine, law, the sciences, business, the arts etc. It is in our own family and societal interest to ensure a strong education for them.”

As far back as 1802, America had set up the West Point Military Academy as the institution for education and training of future scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. It was graduates from West Point who were engaged in planning and implementing projects in railroads, bridges and roads in America in the early 19th century.

In 1957, the then Soviet Union launched the first satellite “Sputnik” into space. In the year 1961, J. F. Kennedy, the President of the United States told the American people that

“the nation should commit itself to achieving the goal (of) landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the decade.”

On July 20, 1969, two American astronauts from Apollo 11, walked on the moon. Going to the moon was not and is not only a scientific adventure. The venture into space has had many benefits for world communications and the space stations programmes.

From the results of the Project Talent tests, however, exceptional students in science and mathematics were identified and supported to go through advanced graduate courses in universities of the country. The purpose of Project Talent was to prepare young talented persons in STEM subjects. It is said that the persons responsible for the moon satellite launch of 1969 were young graduates of ages 24-26.

One can see from the above, that America has had sustained interest in the education of gifted students for over 200 years. The realization that gifted or talented students need to be identified and special education enrichment programmes planned for them in order for society to benefit from their superior intellectual capability has dawned on the world. Already countries such as Brazil, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Iran, the United Kingdom and Singapore have education programmes for gifted students.

Status of STEM in Africa

Primary school education started in Africa in the middle of the 19th century mostly by European missionaries; too late as a start. University education started by 1950 in Africa and has grown exponentially since then. But it is the quality of education and the course emphases that currently matter. Secondary school admission policies based on 70% Science students and 30% Arts students have been made periodically by politicians but they really had no intentions for following these through. Science studies require extra expenses in equipment, research grants and many other costs and these cannot be afforded by many African countries.

Development basically is focused on technology and engineering subjects. Can Africa keep pace with the world in scientific and technological development? Can Africa keep up marching toward excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education? Success in these subjects will signal the inventive and development capability of the continent. These questions, meantime, are the big questions.

How fast African countries will be able to find solutions, marshal resources and provide the needed finances for education and training in the STEM subjects, and also set up programmes for identifying their talented students for extra training, will determine how fast the continent could join the ranks of creative and inventive countries of the world.