Dr. Yaayin, Boniface

Dr. Boniface Yaayin is a dedicated chemistry educator with a strong academic and professional background in science education. He holds a First-Class Honours degree in Bachelor of Education (Science), specializing in Chemistry, from the University of Cape Coast (2006). He further pursued an M.Sc. in Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (2009), and an M.Phil. in Science Education (Chemistry Option) from the University of Education, Winneba (2016). Dr. Yaayin earned his terminal degree, a Ph.D. in Science Education, from the same institution in 2021.

With over two decades of teaching experience beginning in 1999, Dr. Yaayin has taught at various levels of education in Ghana, including basic, senior high school, college of education, and university levels. At the Tamale College of Education, he rose to the rank of Senior Tutor and served as Head of the Science Department from 2017 to 2019. During his tenure, he was a member of the Academic Board and the Promotion and Appointment Committee. He also played a pivotal role in securing and implementing a grant from the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL), which supported the professional development of approximately 380 basic school teachers across 32 schools in the Tamale Metropolis and Sagnarigu Municipality.

Dr. Yaayin is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry Education at the University of Education, Winneba. His expertise lies in Chemistry Education, with a research focus on innovative, student-centred approaches that enhance critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and lifelong learning. He also has a keen interest in sustainability in chemistry education and has published several articles in international journals. In addition, his research extends to environmental sanitation, including water quality analysis and solid and liquid waste assessment.

His teaching philosophy is grounded in the principles of 21st-century learning - communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. He employs learner-centred strategies and educational technology to equip students with the skills necessary for lifelong learning and success in the job market.

Dr. Yaayin’s commitment to community service is evident in his various outreach projects. Notably, he co-led a team from the University of Education, Winneba, to secure a grant from the American Chemical Society (ACS) to implement a Chemistry Festival Project for basic school pupils in the Effutu Municipality. The project, themed “Unmasking Chemistry in Indigenous Activities”, trained STEM teachers in rural schools to integrate local knowledge into science instruction. It also featured public sensitization through local radio to raise awareness of chemistry concepts embedded in indigenous practices.

He has also facilitated training programs for basic school science teachers in the Bia East District (Western North Region) and served as a School Improvement Adviser under the Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL) project. In this role, he supported three senior high schools in the Central Region - engaging teachers in lesson observations, professional learning communities, and leadership development initiatives.

Dr. Yaayin continues to strive for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, contributing meaningfully to science education and professional development in Ghana.