Do we need STEM schools?
On Sunday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that six schools are to be built over the next six years to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The new STEM schools will not operate under the Education Act and will be labelled centres of excellence.
Our followers on social media had this to say following the prime minister’s announcement:
* Integration is needed; we should’ve been doing this ages ago. - @wes_indian_flows
* Good idea. That act needs to be updated, too. STEM will help in making children more innovative and critical thinkers. That’s where the world is heading #globalization. - @althia_3
* Tread cautiously. Anything government-funded but not operating under legislative and policy framework can be dangerous. Government is not your personal business, so you are not free to set up units operating outside of the rules that govern. -@ karismaricqueen
* UTech, HEART Trust and CMU already have many STEM courses. What is the difference with these?
- @phillipsrulez
* Why this idea that NEW is always better. We have so many schools still on the shift system and bright minds languishing, under-engaged in their classes. Let’s spend the money to fix the system. - @javheer
* I think it is just to provide intellectual parasites and professional students in debt to themselves. -@ esomhaA
* I’d like to hear the rationale behind why we need new schools specifically for STEM education and not just improve the labs, accessibility to basic materials and equipment and restructure our science programmes in ALL school, specifically the non-traditional ones that lack resources. BroGad, I’m not with you on this one. - @iMaad_Scientist
* These are called magnet schools in the USA and consistently outperform other schools. However, entry should be based solely on talent and not income.
- @freedompickney