Sarawak ministry committed to STEM education via use of English language

KUCHING (Aug 31): The Sarawak Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) is always committed to assisting Dual Language Programme (DLP) teachers and pupils so that pupils can access information related to the fields of Science and Mathematics through a good command of the English language.

Its minister, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said this is because Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly in the core subjects of Science and Mathematics at the primary school level, is of paramount importance.

He added that in Sarawak, the importance of STEM education is underscored by the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“Under the strategy’s cluster of education and human capital, one of the key targets is to achieve 60 per cent enrolment in STEM disciplines and to cultivate a workforce where 30 per cent possess high-level skills.

“These ambitious targets are designed to ensure that Sarawak can meet the demands of a rapidly changing global landscape and secure its socio-economic progress,” he said during the closing ceremony of the 2024 DLP Sarawak Basic Training Course at a hotel here today.

He pointed out that achieving those targets are crucial for several reasons; firstly, a strong foundation in STEM subjects at the primary level is essential for preparing students for more advanced studies and careers in relevant fields.

This, in turn, he said, will help to create a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and supporting Sarawak’s economic growth.

“A workforce with a high percentage of STEM-trained individuals will be better equipped to engage in high-tech industries, research and development, and other areas critical to economic diversification and resilience,” he added.

Commenting on the 2024 DLP Sarawak Basic Training Course, Sagah said this year marks the fifth year of the DLP implementation in Sarawak, adding over these five years, various programmes and activities have been carried out by MEITD together with the Sarawak Education Department to ensure that the DLP can be sustainable and successfully achieve its intended aim.

“As we are all aware, the implementation of the DLP aims to enable pupils to access information related to the fields of Science and Mathematics through a good command of the English language.

“This facilitates global learning, which is also in line with the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0),” he said.

Thus, he added, proficiency in the English language is vital not only for teachers, especially those teaching Science and Mathematics, but also for young students as proficiency in English grants access to a vast array of resources readily available on the internet, facilitating global learning and knowledge acquisition.

“In the long run, this ensures that our students are more competitive in the job market, both locally and internationally,” he said.

Also present during the event were Deputy Minister For Education, Innovation And Talent Development Sarawak (Talent Development) Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, MEITD deputy permanent secretary Anielia Siam, Sarawak Education Department deputy director of Learning Sector Siti Zulaiha Ibrahim, Samarahan district education officer Awang Hepeni Awang Onget and other officials.