STEM – 21st century skills

“In today’s era of volatility, there is no other way but to reinvent. the only sustainable advantage you can have over others is agility, that’s it. Because nothing else is sustainable, everything else you create, somebody else will replicate.” – Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us and, like the three revolutions that preceded it, will bring about unprecedented changes in how we work and live. Rapid advances in digitisation, digitalisation, network communications, data analysis and machine learning are now essential elements that are fast becoming absorbed into businesses and the manufacturing industry. This is a natural response to the everincreasing demand for selfreliance and efficiency in a world filled with uncertainty and constant unknown outcomes.

Reshaping how we work

Notwithstanding the unknown quantities presented to us by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, experts believe it holds great promise. Renowned business edxecutive Uschi Schrieber believes that there will be an exciting potential for breakthroughs in healthcare, the ability to empower more people worldwide to become entrepreneurs, better access to Education and the chance to drive innovation across many sectors. It also means that every industry is undergoing disruption.

The revolution is reshaping how we work, relate, communicate and learn and is reinventing most institutions – particularly education. Positive outcomes of the Revolution mean that people and machines can join forces across borders to improve the quality of life and fix the damage brought about by the previous industrial revolutions.

Ms Schrieber says that ‘It is now the challenge for governments, business and society to find new ways of thinking and acting as our world is disrupted by technology and innovation. The answers won’t be found in the past, and in a fast-moving environment some risk-taking will be required to manage the unknown.‘

Education is the key

This statement leads me to a natural conclusion that education is a crucial component in dealing with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. At the very heart of it lies the essential component of understanding big data processing. This requires minds capable of critical thinking, computing, understanding of statistics and cozignance on how the world works.

By learning these skills our students would have the tools to find alternative solutions, solve problems and improve on future technologies for the betterment of society. This is why the Ministry for education is investing heavily in the development of skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - disciplines collectively known as STEM.

STEM - a definition

Science focuses on the natural world. It prepares students to think and act like scientists, ask questions, hypothesise and conduct investigations using standard science practices. Technology is the modification of the natural world to meet human wants and needs. It focuses on ways to modify the natural world to meet our wants and helps us find pathways to use natural materials and substances to reach this goal. Engineering uses knowledge of mathematics and natural processes to improve ways to use materials and the forces of nature sustainably and economically for the benefit of humanity. Mathematics is the science of patterns and the relationship that provides the exact language of technology, science and engineering.

All four disciplines are crucial for the development of 21st century advancement. Through STEM our students are given the opportunity to solve problems, become innovators, inventors, logical thinkers, technologically literate and develop selfconfidence. All STEM skills are connected to economic competitiveness and selfreliance.

Preparing our students

Education involving individual disciplines of STEM is nothing new. It has been the foundation for discovery and technological innovations throughout modern history. However, the importance of stem education and the manner of its instruction has only been recognised in recent years.

What lies in the core of STEM education is its integrated and interdisciplinary nature - the instruction of these disciplines is conducted as a holistic whole rather than as separate, isolated subjects. It has thus been argued that STEM education should transcend disciplinary boundaries in order to develop students’ 21st-century skills and address STEM-related global issues.

In order to address the need for more STEM-literate students and workers, our educators need to be prepared and supported. Therefore last Wednesday the Institute for Education in collaboration with MCST and Esplora launched a Masters course in STEM Education and Engagement for educators of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

The Institute for Education

The Institute for Education within my Ministry promotes high-quality educators and learners at all levels. Teacher training and professional development provided by the Institute focuses on injecting 21st century skills and competencies into our educators at all levels of leadership and infuses equity and social justices within all its programmes.

There is no denying that our economy needs schools that are successful in producing students capable of talented contributions in the STEM disciplines. This Masters course is another step in the right direction. It will help educators teach students to develop 21st century skills crucial for the continued advancement of our society.

Educators for our future

Our educators are top notch. I am confident that in the years to come, our students will be wellequipped to face the challenges and uncertainties of the century we live in. We have a solid educational system that is innovative and adaptable. My Ministry’s vision for the future will ensure that the children of today will be the catalysts for the changes and challenges of the future and innovators for the common good of all.

This is clear confirmation that despite the drawbacks and hurdles caused by the pandemic, Labour is still focused on continuity. We are doing our utmost through innovation and creativity and at the same time taking action by adapting and implementing strategies that are expected to bear fruit tomorrow