AN education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a must if students are to embrace the digital economy of the future.

MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said STEM education was the way forward and stressed that computer education was a must.

“They need the basics to face the challenges. The world is changing so fast that we have no choice but to really speed up in terms of education.

SJK (C) Bukit Tinggi pupils Yap Kai Qing (left) and Lau Jing Xuan, both 10, demonstrating coding, which is part of the STEM Computer Science programme during the event. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star

“It is also scary to note that the number of science students in the country is dropping. The percentage now is around 30 for science and 70 for arts,” Liow said in his speech at the launch of the STEM computer science programme at SJK(C) Bukit Tinggi.

The programme at the school was put in place with the help of Eduspec Holdings Bhd.

Liow said more needed to be done to ensure that the education system could train more science students, adding that the Government had been pushing for STEM education.

Meanwhile, Eduspec chief executive officer Lim Een Hong said many were still under the impression that education was the sole responsibility of the Government.

He stressed that success in education needed a holistic approach that involved the parents, the Government, the community and corporate entities working together.

Liow (right) giving out ang pow to guests after the launch of the STEM Computer Science programme at SJK (C) Bukit Tinggi.

“It will take all parties to provide the right platform and opportunities to ensure our children can continue to innovate.

“The future workforce requires our children to have 21st century skill sets that include communication and collaboration skills, as well as computational thinking,” said Lim.

He added that children must be technologically savvy to be successful.

Previously, Eduspec had helped SJK(C) Choong Wen off Jalan Klang Lama to become the first STEM school in the country and SJK(C) Kong Hoe in Klang to be the first STEM school in Selangor.

-The Star-