By ALICE NACHILEMBE
The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia ( NAQEZ) has called on the Ministry of General Education to work on the identified lapses in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
NAQEZ Executive Director Aaron Chansa said the decision by the Ministry of General Education to abruptly put off the newly launched STEM education in Zambia is troubling.
Mr Chansa said the abandonment of STEM Education comes as a shock to many stakeholders in the education sector, as well as many teachers and parents whose children were attending this kind of specialized training for almost 2 years.
He said what has happened to STEM education is a direct indictment on the Ministry of General Education.
Mr Chansa said that It clearly shows that the systems in the Ministry are fundamentally not cohesive, not talking to each other .
“It will now be very difficult and confusing for STEM learners in grade 9 ,for example, to start learning grade 8 contents of the ordinary syllabus and at the same time prepare for final exams slated for next term.
“We cannot believe the fact that the Ministry did not inform the Examinations Council of Zambia( ECZ) regarding the curriculum of STEM education, in order for the Council to adequately prepare for STEM exams. This lack of coordination among Ministry departments has regrettably led to the suspension of STEM education,” he said
