‘STEM centre a good move’

Initiative will address lack of competent teachers, says group

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics centre in Budget 2018 is “very good news” as it will address the lack of competent teachers to teach STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – especially in English, said Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) chairman Mak Chee Kin.

“We’re also hopeful that all computer science module teachers will be properly trained.

“Sadly, basic computer science, coding, and design and technology are currently taught by teachers who are trained to teach living skills and civics,” he said.

On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced RM250mil for the setting up of a STEM centre to develop the latest learning methods to train STEM specialist teachers.

The Computer Science module will also be enhanced to include coding programme in primary and secondary school curriculums.

Parent Action Group for Malaysia (PAGE) honorary secretary Tunku Munawirah Putra said: “We must ensure future STEM teachers and professionals have the right skills to survive in this fast-evolving world.”

On the RM190mil proposal to upgrade 2,000 classrooms into 21stcentury smart classrooms, she said it would create a more conducive environment for learning with the best streaming speed – a must for e-learning and coding classes.

“This would entice more students to science,” she added.

As for the RM2.5bil allocated to upgrade and refurbish 2,000 dilapidated schools nationwide, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Harry Tan said it was good because “you have to take care of what you’ve built”.

“We need to have a handyman in schools as well.

“It’s difficult to get contractors to do minor repairs like changing the lights or fixing broken chairs because these are small jobs that don’t pay well.

“We hope the allocation can also be used to hire a handyman in schools,” he said.

On the three extra leave days for civil servants in education, he said the move recognised the hard work teachers put in.

“The extra days can go towards our ‘golden handshake’.

“Teachers currently get seven days of special leave a year which, if unused, is converted into a ‘golden handshake’ at retirement,” he said.