Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe, Member of Parliament for Akatsi North and Chairman of Parliament’s Select Committee on Education, has called on the Ministry of Education to adopt the UCMAS programme in public schools nationwide to sharpen pupils’ cognitive and problem-solving skills.

Speaking as the chairman of the occasion at the 15th UCMAS National Competition held at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa YesuKrom, Nortsu-Kotoe described the programme as a proven tool for developing children’s mental alertness and concentration.

“UCMAS is a very good programme to develop children’s skills. It has escalated to many parts of the country. The question now is, what do we do next? We must support them to ensure that as many children as possible in this country benefit from this programme,” he said.

The MP disclosed that he would engage the Minister for Education on his experience at the competition and facilitate a meeting between the Ministry and UCMAS Education Ghana Limited to chart the way forward. “I will meet with the Minister for Education and share what I have seen. We can start on a pilot basis, assess the outcome, then escalate it to many or all public schools,” he stated.

Nortsu-Kotoe stressed that the benefits of UCMAS go beyond mathematics. “It is not only mathematics. You can apply this methodology in other fields, be it science or anything at all. It helps you think and solve problems,” he explained.

He added that adopting such programmes must be a deliberate effort by government. “The Ministry of Education must come in, start small, see the output, then expand it nationwide,” he noted.

Recounting an experience from a school he visited last year where sign language was compulsory for all students, the MP underscored the value of practical skills. “If you become a doctor and a patient who cannot speak comes to you, but you understand sign language, you can diagnose and prescribe treatment. These are the kinds of skills we must give our children,” he said.

Nortsu-Kotoe also appealed directly to parents, especially mothers, to prioritize education over material displays. “I know women are passionate about their children’s education, but at the same time they have love for fashion,” he said. “Instead of spending money on funeral cloth to challenge each other at funerals, use that money to invest in your child’s education.”

He argued that paying GH¢100 or GH¢200 for a child’s UCMAS training is far more beneficial than buying expensive cloth for mourners. “You can wear one cloth to many funerals. But the skills your child gains from UCMAS will stay with them for life. Even if they don’t get every calculation correct, the fact that they are becoming mentally alert and able to concentrate is a huge gain,” he added.

The MP concluded that giving every Ghanaian child access to such training would change mindsets. “If they are all given the opportunity to learn, they will see what they can do. They will be more convinced to engage in productive activities rather than saying there is nothing good to do,” he said.

The 15th UCMAS National Competition brought together over 2,500 pupils from 120 schools nationwide, with 300 students honoured for exceptional performance.

Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region