Ghana's STEM push and the role of hands-on competitions

Tag: General news

Published On: November 12, 2026

Government plans to teach robotics and AI in basic schools make hands-on competitions a practical way for schools to show what students can do.

In brief

  • Government plans to teach robotics, electronics, AI and coding in basic schools. The revised curriculum is not yet approved.
  • Schools do not have to wait for the curriculum. A robotics team can start now, as a club or alongside science and maths.
  • MRC Ghana 2027 gives students, coaches and schools a national stage in Accra on 19–20 February 2027. Teams register by 15 January 2027

Robot Sumo Challenge
Ghana is putting more weight on science, technology, engineering and mathematics in schools. A revised basic curriculum, still awaiting final approval, would be one part of that effort. Hands-on competitions can help schools start now.

What has been announced

On 20 July 2026, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu outlined a plan to teach robotics, electronics, AI and coding in basic schools, from kindergarten to junior high school. At the time of the latest reports, the revised curriculum had not been approved or published, and no start date had been set.

Separately, Ghana and South Korea signed an agreement in July 2026 for a second phase of the Digital STEM Education Project. KOICA is providing US$28 million for 2026–2032, and the work is expanding digital STEM teaching to four regions.

What a robotics team looks like in a school

A school does not need a new subject to start. A team can run as a club, or it can use existing science and maths lessons to build and test. The example below is one way a team could run in a single week. It is not an official timetable.

  • Start of the week: the team reads the official rules for its chosen sport and agrees one goal.
  •  Midweek: students change one part of the robot, then test it on a simple track or target.
  • End of the week: the team reviews what worked and what failed, and records each change in a simple log.
What students learn along the way

  • Engineering: a machine has to work on the day, not just on paper.
  • Coding: sensors and control decide whether a robot follows a line or aims true.
  • Maths: distances, angles and timing all matter.
  • Teamwork: students plan, test, repair and explain their work, often as alliances.
Who this is for, and what to do next

Teachers and school heads: teams have two or three students aged 10 and up, with a coach aged 20 or over. Register at mrcghana.com/register by 15 January 2027. Registration is an expression of interest, not a confirmed entry, and the MakersPlace reviews each entry against the official H.E.R.O. rules.

Parents: ask your child's school whether a robotics team is taking part. If it is not, ask the school to contact the organisers.

Education officials: the national competition offers a public, measurable showcase for the skills the curriculum aims to teach, and an event that schools across the country can join.

Sponsors and partners: support can fund team places, equipment and awards. Partner agreements are confirmed by 31 January 2027. Contact [email protected] to shape a package.

Opening doors for every school

Competitions only help if the schools that most need these skills can take part. MRC Ghana 2027 aims to create places for under-served schools and for girls' teams, so that cost and access do not decide who competes. Support for these places comes from partners, and each arrangement is agreed with the partner in writing.

A founder's view

I back school robotics because I want young people to move from learning how technology works to building solutions of their own. At The MakersPlace, I have seen what learners can do when they have the tools, guidance and time to try, make mistakes and improve. That opportunity should be part of every child’s education in Ghana.

Douglas Ayitey, Founder and CEO, The MakersPlace

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