State-run oil refinery Petrojam Limited will be investing $3 million over the next three years to establish Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes in two west Kingston high schools.
Students of Tivoli Gardens and St. Andrew Technical high will benefit from advanced classroom learning and a mentorship programme, while their teachers will be offered continuous professional development through seminars and workshops.
The STEM Programme was launched on Thursday (April 3) at Tivoli Gardens High School in Kingston.
Technical Assistant in the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Donaree Muirhead, who delivered remarks on behalf of Portfolio Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, commended Petrojam for its vision and dedication in launching the programme.
Ms. Muirhead said Petrojam’s donation of learning tools, which include microscopes, projectors, screens, and STEM kits, will bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhance engagement and heighten interest in STEM subjects.
“The objectives of this programme are clear – enhancing STEM literacy, increasing engagement, promoting problem-solving skills, fostering collaboration, supporting teacher development and providing essential tools for effective STEM education,” she noted.
She urged the students to embrace the opportunity, engage with the resources provided, explore the wonders of STEM and let their curiosity drive them towards innovation and excellence.
“Our country has immense untapped potential. With the right education and exposure, young people can be at the forefront of groundbreaking technological solutions that address local and global challenges. By nurturing a culture of innovation, the Government, alongside corporate partners, continues to build a Jamaica that is resilient, self-sufficient and future-ready,” Ms. Muirhead said.
In his remarks, General Manager at Petrojam Limited, Telroy Morgan, said the entity shares the Government’s vision of STEM education as a national priority and is committed to fostering innovation that empowers Jamaicans to excel in the knowledge economy.
“The most valuable resource is always our people,” he said, telling the students that the project is an opportunity to “to invest in you for the future”.
He underscored that Petrojam has a deep interest in qualifying and equipping the next generation of leaders and innovators.
“We are thrilled with the possibility of including students in our summer employment and internship programme. This initiative will allow those students who are selected to experience and apply what they have learned and they will get to do so in a very practical sense and further bridge the gap between education and the workplace,” Mr. Morgan said.
