Ministers underline importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)

Education Minister Caitríona Ruane and Minister for Employment and Learning Sir Reg Empey have emphasised the importance of promoting STEM subjects in local schools and universities.

The Ministers attended a meeting on the issue with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and leading local entrepreneur Lord Ballyedmond OBE, founder and chairperson of the Newry-based pharmaceutical company Norbrook Laboratories Ltd.

Discussion centred around the steps being taken by both Departments to promote STEM subjects locally. Norbrook and the RSC also set out how they plan to deliver their own joint programme which will encourage teaching of subjects such as chemistry, bio-chemistry and chemical engineering.

Speaking after the meeting, Caitríona Ruane said: "I fully recognise the need to promote teaching and studying of STEM subjects in our schools. The revised curriculum includes a focus on this crucial area at all key stage levels, helping our young people to develop the skills they need to succeed in life and at work.

"Parallel to this, my Department has been engaged in delivering on a number of the recommendations made in last year’s STEM review report. These include providing more STEM-focused careers education for pupils and a new programme of professional development for teachers at both primary and post-primary levels.

"The Department has increased its support for STEM-related events such as the annual BT Young Scientist competition, in which many pupils from the North excelled last month. I also recently announced funding to support the establishment by the Institute of Physics in Ireland of a Physics Teacher Network to promote teaching of the subject in schools across the North."

Minister Ruane added: "I commend both Norbrook Laboratories and the RSC on their planned initiative, which will dovetail well with the extensive statutory provision already in place in this area."

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: "The importance of attracting students to STEM subjects cannot be overstated. If we are to address this issue then a collaborative approach, across government, business and education sectors, is essential. Only then will we be in a position to equip our young people with the science and technology-based skills which are crucial to Northern Ireland’s future economic well-being.”

Sir Reg continued: "Our success in the global market will be dependent on our ability to anticipate and react to the needs of a modern, knowledge-based economy through the provision of a highly trained and motivated workforce. Programmes such as those outlined by Norbrook and the Royal Society of Chemistry can only aid this process."

Lord Ballyedmond commented: "I am pleased that Ministers Empey and Ruane are taking strong action to promote the uptake of STEM subjects in schools and universities. By building local expertise in mathematics and the sciences, it will boost the employment prospects of young people and help strengthen the economy in the long term. Working with the Royal Society of Chemistry, I hope to be able to contribute to the progress in this crucial area."

Notes to editors:

1. The recommendations made in the report of the STEM review fall to both DE and DEL to implement. The report is available on both Departments’ websites.
2. More information is available on Norbrook Laboratories and the Royal Society of Chemistry websites.
3. Media queries to the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9356.