Sarawak Education Reform Must Be Driven By STEM To Produce World-Class Human Capital
SIBU: Education reform in Sarawak must be driven by Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to produce world-class human capital capable of leading the future economy and addressing the challenges of climate change and technological advancement.
Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, said Sarawak possesses substantial natural resource strengths, but these advantages can only be fully harnessed if the state has a highly skilled workforce that masters new technologies.
He said the changing global economic landscape and the challenges of climate change demand solutions grounded in science, technology and innovation, and that Sarawak's younger generation must therefore be equipped with relevant knowledge and skills.
"We need to shape Sarawakian children who are familiar with new technologies so that we can adapt and solve the problems we face.
"To manage our economy, we need many of our children with backgrounds in disciplines that are highly relevant today — namely those centred on STEM," he said.
He was speaking at the opening of the 61st Sarawak Secondary School Principals' Education Management Conference 2026, themed 'Driving Education Reform: Synergy of Leadership and Humane Values', held here on Thursday.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that to support this agenda, the Sarawak Government has implemented the Dual Language Programme (DLP) and STEM programmes to strengthen students' mastery of subjects needed to meet the demands of the future economy.
He also described the establishment of the Sarawak Science Centre (SSCiEX) as an important platform to give students early exposure to various fields of science and technology, including hydrogen energy, aerospace technology and hydro-based power generation.
He said the centre is also equipped with hostel facilities to enable students from rural areas to take part in learning programmes there.
He added that early exposure to modern technology can open doors for rural students to master high-technology fields.
"I did not expect that our children from the interior, including Penan children, could operate drones by remote control.
"This proves that if we expose our children early, they are able to master excellent disciplines," he said.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also said artificial intelligence (AI) should be harnessed as a tool to empower learning, though users need sufficient knowledge to use it effectively.
"AI helps us. Only those with knowledge understand the process of Artificial Intelligence, and they must be smart enough to make good use of AI.
"This is our world, our era. What matters most about AI is its relationship with what is known as the Large Language Model (LLM), which serves as the intermediary between the user and AI," he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (Higher Education and Innovation), Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa'ee, Deputy Minister at the Sarawak Premier's Department (Coordinator of Regional Development Agency Projects, DBKU and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Sibu Divisional Resident, Superi Awang Said, Director of Education, Sarawak State Education Department, Omar Mahli, President of the Sarawak Secondary School Principals' Association and Principal of SMK St Augustine, Ujai Sambau, and Sibu District Education Officer, Lau Ngie Tung. -UKASnews
