Wales’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills not up to scratch, says Assembly committee
28 January 2011
Concerted action is needed to develop the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills of young people, according to the National Assembly’s Enterprise and Learning Committee.
The report from the cross-party group of AMs highlights a number of issues that need addressing to develop STEM skills in Wales, including the lack of high-quality specialist teachers, poor student performances and negative perceptions of STEM subjects.
Evidence received by the Committee showed the proportion of learners in Wales taking sciences and maths at A-level is significantly below the rest of the UK, and the teaching of combined science as opposed to separate sciences at GCSE is proving ineffective.
The report states that these problems are resulting in a lack of practical science skills at further and higher education level and a lack of basic skills among STEM graduates pursuing careers in the industry.
The Committee recommends the Welsh Government works to recruit and retain teachers with specialist expertise and better supports those teaching outside their specialism.
The report also challenges government and industry to address gender stereotypes and inequalities among STEM subjects, recommending the Government ensures that young people have access to independent and informed advice when making choices about STEM subjects and careers.
The need for more strategic partnerships between schools and employers to provide practical work placements for pupils, teachers and industrialists, and better alignment between the supply and demand for STEM skills are other concerns raised.
Committee Chair, Gareth Jones, AM said: “While we welcome the Welsh Government’s appointment of a Chief Scientific Adviser to oversee the STEM agenda, our inquiry has left us deeply concerned about a number of issues.
“STEM subjects still suffer from poor perceptions, not only among pupils but also teachers and school authorities. There is a need to improve this so that the subjects are more appealing.
“We also heard that the quality of teaching and leadership in STEM subjects is often wanting. The Welsh Government must work to encourage the take-up of STEM from an early age, sustain a sufficient stream of appropriately qualified students to enter college or university and enable STEM graduates to progress into careers that are important to the economic development of Wales.
“We do not underestimate the challenges facing Wales and appreciate that success will not happen overnight. We are also convinced that the Welsh Government, through the Chief Scientific Adviser and the National Science Academy, is committed to making progress in these areas.
“But action must be more focused and targeted to create a prosperous and sustainable knowledge-based economy in Wales.”
Enterprise and Learning Committee