By Marlynda Meraw and Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 22: The Sarawak government will identify schools across the region that still lack a science laboratory with the desire to take the lead in financing the construction of these essential facilities to enhance STEM education among children.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that the challenges with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in Sarawak are partly due to inadequate infrastructure, including laboratories.
“Some schools have laboratories, while others do not. Personally, I believe that effective science learning requires laboratory experience and real-life contexts,” he said when addressing the Sarawak Education Awards 2024 held at Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Kuching today.
Reflecting on his own schooling experience, he recalled, “Back in my school days, to study photosynthesis, we would bring ‘bunga melur’ (jasmine flowers) to the school laboratory, where our science teacher would guide us through experiments to understand why leaves are green and their functions.”
Without a lab and solely learning through books, he said, it would lead to a poor understanding of science subjects.
Apart from plans to construct science laboratories for schools, Abang Johari pointed out that the Sarawak government, through the Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, has initiated the construction of divisional common laboratories.
This common lab, he explained, will be shared among schools within each division to improve learning and comprehension of science subjects.
“With this commitment to education funding, we can improve infrastructure for educators and children, thereby leading to better educational outcomes,” he emphasised.
Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn and Deputy Minister of Talent Development Sarawak Datuk Francis Harden Hollis were among those present at today’s event. — DayakDaily
