2018-03-16

Scientists decry low number of girls taking science courses

Scientists have called on education stakeholders, including parents and teachers, to rally young girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses (STEM), at higher learning institutions.

The call was made yesterday as Rwanda joined the rest of the world to celebrate Mathematics Day.

It is the first time the day was marked in Rwanda.

Dubbed Pi-Day (π Day), the day was celebrated with emphasis on the importance of mathematics in people’s daily lives.

Pi stands for a Greek letter “π” which is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant.

Scientists said while girls study sciences at secondary levels, they later lose interest in pursuing science related courses, especially majoring in mathematics.

Only 25 per cent of girls enroll for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, according to education officials.

The event in Kigali featured a mathematics competition for secondary students from 10 science schools, including eight based in Kigali and two from the countryside.

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