Make Science Compulsory – Skeffery

Government Senator, Wensworth Skeffery, has called on the Education Ministry to make the teaching of science compulsory for all students at the primary and secondary levels.

He said that enhancing knowledge in the sciences is vital to the country's progress.

The Senator, who was making his contribution to the 2012/13 State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on December 14, argued that the skills derived from science education will aid in creating a more disciplined society as a result of the inclusion of concepts, principles and ethical matters.

He stated that the education system needs a curriculum that will accommodate science education, and foster the kind of education for sustainable development while providing students with the essential knowledge and skills.

“I want to recommend that, in this regard, it (curriculum) must be driven by science education to include more Information Communication Technology (ICT), science and technology. I make this call as I know it is critical that our people must have a high level of awareness in scientific literacy because this intelligence becomes increasingly important as the world system continues to be transformed by science and technology,” Senator Skeffery said.

“We also need to ensure that we equip and re-tool our teacher training institutions to manage and adapt to this new proposed thrust,” he said.

He further stated that the government must focus on the specialist needs of the education system, while urging teachers’ colleges to move away from basic training to specialist training.

He also called for the country’s technical schools to be transformed so as to “advance the application of science to the common purposes of life”.