Enhancing STEM education a strategic imperative for the nation’s future

Malaysia’s aspiration to ascend to a high-income, knowledge-driven economy hinges on cultivating a robust science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-literate workforce. While the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 identifies STEM education as a cornerstone of national development, persistent challenges — declining student interest, teacher preparedness and language barriers — demand urgent and decisive action.

The prime minister’s recent proposal to allocate 70% of residential school enrolment to STEM streams is a timely, albeit partial, step. While the 72 secondary residential schools under the Ministry of Education (MoE) and 57 Mara Junior Colleges (MRSM) are crucial, they represent only a fraction of our educational landscape. To truly nurture a future-ready STEM workforce, we must expand our focus beyond these institutions. The 1,987 regular secondary schools and 95 specialised vocational and technical schools, which constitute the majority, cannot be overlooked as vital talent pools.

The MoE’s past categorisation of schools into bands is a valuable precedent. Revitalising this system, with a specific focus on STEM specialisation in targeted schools — including premier, high-performing and Band 1 and 2 institutions — is essential. This strategic approach will ensure that our most promising students, regardless of their school type, receive the specialised STEM education they deserve.

The burgeoning semiconductor, electrical and electronics industries, vital to our economic future, are projected to require an additional 60,000 engineers. As Malaysia prepares for the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), this demand underscores the urgency of our STEM education reform.

Currently, Malaysia’s engineer-to-population ratio of 1:170 lags behind developed nations such as Germany, France, South Korea and Switzerland, which boast ratios of 1:100, 1:95, and 1:105, respectively. While the National Semiconductor Strategy aims to train 60,000 high-skilled engineers by 2030, our ambition to double the number of engineers to 375,000 demands meticulous planning and execution.

Industry stakeholders emphasise the need for a workforce equipped with both STEM knowledge and English proficiency from the earliest stages of education. However, political considerations continue to impede the effective implementation of the Dual Language Programme (DLP), a crucial catalyst for STEM development. The government must demonstrate unwavering commitment to scaling up the DLP to meet industry and national needs.

The abrupt abolition of the DLP in most MRSM schools, despite their proven ability to handle the programme, is particularly alarming. This decision, which contradicts MoE guidelines, deprives top-performing bumiputera students of opportunities to excel in English-medium STEM environments, hindering their prospects in foreign universities and international workplaces. Sarawak’s success story, where DLP adoption has boosted STEM performance by 25%, demonstrates the programme’s potential when implemented consistently.

Similarly, parents of Standard 1 students in national schools are frustrated by the arbitrary denial of DLP classes, highlighting a disconnect between parental demand and government supply.

It is imperative that we align our decision-making processes with our strategic national goals. Restrictive policies and ill-considered decisions will only impede our progress towards economic prosperity and well-being. Instead of focusing on superficial initiatives like mandatory flag-wearing, we must prioritise substantive reforms that address the core challenges of STEM education.

To cultivate a STEM-ready workforce, we need a multi-pronged approach: boosting STEM enrolment, reforming teaching methods to emphasise enquiry-based learning, investing in comprehensive teacher training and development, and dismantling language barriers through the robust implementation of the DLP. By prioritising these critical areas, we can ensure that Malaysia’s future is built on a foundation of scientific innovation and technological excellence.

The Edge