KUALA LUMPUR: Student enrollment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among upper secondary students rose to 50.83 per cent as of this month.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the increase was from 40.95 per cent recorded in 2021.
The ministry, she said, is consistently working to develop knowledgeable and skilled human capital to engage in the fields of STEM, based on the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025.
"We have implemented various proactive measures, namely enhancing students' interest through innovative learning approaches and curriculum enhancement, improving the skills and abilities of STEM teachers and raising awareness of STEM among students, parents, and the public.
"We are also working on enhancing the teachers' competence, as well as teaching and learning activities inside and outside the classroom to boost students' interest and encourage them to choose STEM disciplines," she said in a parliamentary written reply yesterday, in response to Dr Ahmad Fakhruddin Fakhrurazi (PN-Kuala Kedah).
Fakhruddin was inquiring about the comprehensive planning for increasing the number of pure science stream students to take up the field of studies offered at certain faculties that are related to STEM in line with the 60:40 target ratio of science-to-non-science students at the upper secondary school level.
Fadhlina said STEM is a cross-sector field that needs to be implemented collectively through synergy among all parties involved in the national STEM ecosystem.
"In this regard, synergy between ministries such as the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry is consistently strengthened to foster the STEM education ecosystem.
"A special STEM committee involving the Higher Education Ministry, Education Ministry and Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will be established to plan and monitor cross-ministerial initiatives aimed at increasing STEM student enrolment.
"Collaboration with industries and strategic partners is also actively pursued to support programmes and activities that provide deep exposure to students.
"For example, the ministry is collaborating with Petronas Foundation to implement the YP-KPM Teacher Ambassador Programme to empower 4,500 STEM teachers in enhancing higher-order thinking skills through STEM education."
