Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical drivers of economic growth and national development in the modern world. All development that the world has witnessed from the Industrial Revolution to today’s space age is a result of STEM. Investing in STEM education is investing in the future; whatever technological innovations we see today are products of what some people invested in STEM several years ago.
Is our education system geared towards STEM? Sadly, it is not. An educational system that is STEM-focused is built on two pillars. The first pillar is the percentage of student enrolment at all levels of education studying STEM subjects in relation to total enrolment. A country that has a larger percentage of students in secondary schools taking STEM subjects can be described as one that is STEM-focused.
The second pillar is the quality of the STEM curriculum itself. It is one thing to have a curriculum that leans heavily towards theoretical learning, with little emphasis on practical application. It is another thing to have one that fosters innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
How can we assess our education system based on the two pillars described above? A World Bank Study titled “Improving Gender Balance in STEM Higher Education in Tanzania” noted that only 34% of students enrolled in secondary schools in Tanzania in 2022 were taking STEM subjects. This situation is replicated in tertiary education where student enrolment is higher in arts and social sciences than in STEM courses. Additionally, the curriculum remains largely theoretical. With this kind of situation, one cannot be wrong in stating that our education system is built on quicksand. Sooner rather than later, as a society, we will sink deep with no chances of recovery!
For Tanzania to compete in the global economy, address socio-economic challenges, and achieve its industrialisation goals, it must reorient its education system to emphasise STEM disciplines by doing five critical issues:
- Reform the curriculum by introducing a competency-based curriculum with a strong focus on STEM subjects that will help students develop critical thinking, creativity, and technical skills. Digital literacy and coding should be integrated into the curriculum from an early age.
- Invest in continuous professional STEM teacher training programmes, providing teachers with modern teaching methodologies, laboratory training, and exposure to global best practices.
- Improve school infrastructure and learning resources. STEM education requires well-equipped laboratories, modern libraries, and access to technology. Let the government collaborate with the private sector in school infrastructure, including laboratories, computers, and internet connectivity.
- Strengthen industry and university collaboration to ensure that STEM education is aligned with labour market demands. Universities and technical colleges should partner with industries to offer internship programmes and research collaborations.
- Strong government commitment and policy support are essential. The government should allocate a larger portion of the national budget to STEM education and provide incentives for private sector investment in STEM initiatives.
Elly Manjale is an economic, business, and management consultant based in Arusha who writes on economic, business, social, and political issues.
Contact: +255 371521
Email: emanijale@gmail.com
