By Patrick Obia
Listen To The Reporter
Stakeholders in the academia have called for increased support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Cross River State, describing it as the hope for the future.
The call was made at the presentation of two scientific books authored by Mr. Kingsley Edem at the Transcorp hotel in Calabar on Tuesday.
The books, “Pictorial book of instrument, apparatus and equipment for basic science and technology, for pupils in primary schools and students in junior secondary schools,” and, “Science pictorial book for scientific equipment, instrument and apparatus, for senior schools,” are 360 and 470 pages respectively and took 8 to 10 years to write.
And, a scientist, Bernard Edem, who spoke on “the importance of STEM in primary and secondary education,’ said there is no area of modern day life without science and technology and lamented the inadequate support for STEM education.
He sued for support for those in the field of science for the betterment of the future generation and the world at large.
Also, Mrs. Felicia Archibong, a relative of the author, who commended him for publishing despite challenges, tasked schools and students to have them in their libraries even as she hoped for increased support for STEM education.
The books “are all inclusive when it comes to science,” and, “will demystify a lot about science,” Edem explained, adding that: “Going by the trend today, the world globally has gone technological, so, we need to go along with the world. If you look at the way things are now, we are lagging behind scientifically and we cannot shy away from that.
“The message is that, as humans we all have dreams and dreams are not actualized by feeble minded people. Everyone with dreams should live and fulfill their dreams; with these books I believe dreams will be fulfilled and actualized.”
The event, which attracted teachers and students of various schools in Calabar also featured performance poetry, among others.