‘E’ in STEM should be English

THERE is a revived interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) after our Education Minister recently mooted the idea of STREAM as a modification to customise to Malaysia’s current need.

Before we get lost along the road of the STEM and STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Maths) issues, let us return to the origins of STEM education. This started in 2001 as a new movement in education in America to address a specific weakness in the American education system, specifically to counter “the decline in the number of college students choosing majors in science or technology or related fields...” because “The United States need to be more competitive and build new standards for our students.”