Improving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programs in Secondary Schools in Benue State Nigeria Challenges and Prospects

Benue State in Nigeria is a state that is well populated with brilliant youths of school age. The available Universities and other tertiary schools in the state yearly record huge applications from them seeking admission to study predominantly courses unrelated to; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This paper investigates the challenges of improving STEM education at secondary school level as against prospects. This paper is motivated by the research question: what is the reason(s) responsible for lack of interest in STEM related subjects? The study employed a survey methodology. A sample of 300 including students and teachers was randomly drawn from 150 secondary schools to secure data for this study. The result shows that mindset rather than skills is the major impediment on the side of students and teachers in improving the study of STEM related subjects. The main conclusion is that, improving STEM education in Benue State is a multi-faceted and complex issue. To this end the need to embrace a range of new innovative teaching approaches is paramount. The major recommendation is that relevant stakeholders ie teachers, students and parents should be consciously encouraged to partner and combine informative and persuasive forces to tackle the challenges of STEM education such as facilities, interest, teaching methods via new innovations for the benefit of the state and Nigeria as a whole in enhancing economic development.

Keywords: Economic development, Mindset, Secondary education, STEM