KUALA LUMPUR: All schools have been required to offer at least one Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Package A class starting from 2025, says the Education Ministry.
STEM Package A comprises all three science subjects, namely Physics, Biology and Chemistry as well as Additional Mathematics, while Package B comprises any two science subjects with Additional Mathematics.
The ministry said schools are encouraged to provide guidance and advice to students when choosing either STEM Package A or Package B, according to their individual interests and aptitudes.
"Schools are urged to collaborate with all stakeholders including parents, government agencies, academia, industry and the community to raise students' awareness of the importance of STEM packages… as well as the Additional Mathematics subject, in shaping their education and future careers," it said in a parliamentary written reply dated Nov 6.
The ministry was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) on the accurate definition of STEM subjects and the steps taken to avert confusion over its definition and whether the focus of teaching is on pure sciences.
In response, the ministry said STEM refers to fields of study at school and tertiary levels, adding that Science, Additional Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Design and Technology, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering Studies, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, among others, are the subjects taught in school.
"In the context of teaching and learning, STEM education refers to an instructional approach that integrates the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics," it said.
The ministry added that this interdisciplinary approach provides students with opportunities to apply the knowledge, skills and values learned in STEM subjects to solve real-world problems, while also nurturing a range of future-oriented skills.
"Within the Malaysian school system, upper secondary students are given the opportunity to choose elective subject packages based on their interests, aptitudes and abilities," it said.
The ministry added that it introduced specialised Science and Technology packages at upper secondary level in 2001 to encourage students who excelled in Science and Mathematics for their PMR examinations to pursue this course of study.
Since the implementation of the curriculum in 2020, students may pursue either the STEM package or the Humanities and Arts package by selecting elective subjects from the STEM, Islamic Studies, Language as well as Humanities and Professional Arts groups.
"These packages are designed based on students' needs to pursue tertiary education at universities, matriculation programmes, Form Six, polytechnics, community colleges and other post-secondary institutions," it said.
