Commemorating Youth Month under the theme "Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future"
Expanding STEM education will benefit all South Africans
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is not only important for a country's technological development, but also for job security and economic development. This is according to Emma Mphahlele, the founder and managing director of Kids Innovate Africa.
Mphahlele made the remarks at the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) coding bootcamp, which is taking place at Northern Academy Primary School in Polokwane from 24 June to 3 July 2023.
As part of national Youth Month celebrations, 40 female learners from four inland provinces (the North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo) are getting first-hand experience in robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and micro science training.
Under the theme "Re-imagining and re-thinking STEM education in the fourth industrial revolution", the AGCCI is being implemented in South Africa by the United Nations Women South Africa Multi-Country Office in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and Department of Science and Innovation. It is also supported by Siemens and the Belgian government.
Mphahlele said that STEM jobs are the future of the economy and urged learners to pursue STEM subjects.
She said that graduates in the field can earn nearly 20% more than their peers and that some of the most lucrative jobs include engineers and computer scientists. As industries grow, the average salary within these sectors is expected to rise as well.
"There is job security in these sectors," she added.
The ACCGI aims to train and empower at least 2 000 young girls aged between 17 and 25 across Africa to become computer programmers, creators and designers, placing them on track to pursue studies and careers in the information, communication and technology, education and coding sectors.
Mphahlele said STEM education not only benefits students who want to pursue careers in STEM, but it also teaches logical thought processes and problem solving, which are beneficial in any field.
"Building a strong STEM foundation now will set you up for success in 2023 and beyond," said Mphahlele.
Participants are also exposed to life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and investing in themselves.
The work and lifestyle changes that people made to adapt to Covid-19 highlighted the importance of technology skills. Using Zoom, Slack and other tools helped us to connect with family members and coworkers, which illustrates the importance of learning to use and develop technology.
Mphahlele said that, although the government has recognised the importance of STEM education, career attractiveness in the field is relatively low. At the same time, the labour market needs in the sector are high, but educational methods must be more relevant to the real world.
"With STEM education, science literacy for all citizens must be expanded for inclusion purposes, and gender equality issues must be addressed," said Mphahlele.
