The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports is equipping 15 Teacher Training Colleges specializing in the teaching and learning of science and mathematics to promote and encourage the study of the subjects. The Deputy Minister, Mr Kwame Amporfo Twumasi said Science and Mathematics education played a vital role in the development of a country. Speaking at the launch of the maiden edition of the West African Science and Mathematics Quiz Competition in Accra, he said many programmes had been initiated to enhance the capacity of Science and Mathematics teachers for effective teaching and learning of the subjects. He said the Science, Technology and Mathematics Education Programme by the government had exposed 60,000 girls since its inception. About 2,800 boys have also benefited from the programme since their inclusion in 2004. He said more science laboratories had also been opened to cater for and increase the enrolment of students of the study of science in the country and its surroundings. The Science and Mathematics quiz competition, which would be held between Ghana and Nigeria from August 13-16, would feature 12 students on an individual participant's format. Source: GNA