Mkenda advocates for STEM education

DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adolf Mkenda, has called on stakeholders across the country to support government initiatives aimed at advancing science and technology through education.

He stressed the crucial role of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education for national development, noting that Tanzania and other Sub-Saharan countries are still behind in these areas.

Prof Mkenda made these comments during the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) marathon event, themed “Run for STEM,” held yesterday at the UDASA grounds of the University of Dar es Salaam.

The marathon aimed to raise funds to support secondary school students, particularly girls, in pursuing STEM subjects.

The funds will be used for science books, online library access, laboratory equipment and science teachers.

“I urge all stakeholders to come forward and support these efforts. No country progresses without science and technology,” Prof Mkenda stated.

He highlighted that national progress does not rely solely on abundant resources like minerals, oil, or forests, nor on a large population.

Instead, technology and industries are essential for utilising and processing these resources for real development.

Prof Mkenda noted that many countries were colonised due to a lack of advanced technology, emphasising the need to invest in science and technology.

Prof Mkenda praised the ERB for supporting the government’s science and technology initiatives and assured that the Tanzania Education Institute (TEI) will ensure all available books are accessible online.

He also mentioned ongoing government efforts in science education, including the construction of 26 girls’ secondary schools, some of which have already opened.

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Additionally, through the Samia Scholarship programme, the government is providing full funding for students pursuing science, engineering, ICT and mathematics at the university level.

The scholarship programme has been expanded to include the Samia Extended programme, which supports students pursuing master’s degrees abroad and will soon launch a system for science students.

ERB Board Chairman Engineeer Menye Manga emphasised that the marathon’s goal is to encourage students, especially girls, to pursue STEM subjects.

He noted the aim of achieving a 50-50 gender balance in engineering, where currently only about 15 per cent of practitioners are women, with plans to increase this to at least 25 per cent over the next three years from the current ratio of 85 per cent for men and 15 per cent for women.

Engineer Neshika Mlinga, CEO of Nebiha Food Products and a marathon participant, expressed enthusiasm for the ERB initiative, which she believes will open opportunities for students, especially girls, to excel in science subjects.

Dar es Salaam Girls Secondary School is one of the 26 schools benefiting from this initiative.

Ms Elizabeth Mponzo, a teacher at Dar es Salaam Girls Secondary School, commended the effort, noting it will motivate girls to study hard and minimise distractions.

She thanked the ERB for initiating the marathon, which will enhance learning and teaching through resources like computers and science teachers.

Precious Tony, a Form Five student at Dar es Salaam Girls, expressed readiness to embrace the support from ERB and excel in science subjects to pursue fields such as engineering.