THE Government’s push to boost Jamaica’s capacity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) over the next five years will get a boost today with the launch of a scholarship programme at The Mico University College.

Under the programme, full-tuition scholarships will be granted to some 1,250 new student-teachers at Mico.

The programme, which was born out of a partnership between the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) and Mico, was first announced by Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke during his budget debate presentation in March.

At that time Clarke said the Government believes Jamaica’s workforce must increase its level of STEM attainment to ensure that the nation is globally competitive.

“We must fill the maths and science teaching and learning gaps in schools at all levels and systematically build out capacities to accommodate the transition to full STEM integration. This will power the new schools that will be constructed and, in addition, generate sufficient resources to expand STEM competencies across a wider range of schools,” said Clarke.

He indicated that with the Government providing opportunities in the field there is expected to be an uptick in the number of STEM enrolments at the tertiary level.

“A recent project with the Ministry of Education and Youth shows that teacher training intake in the STEM area would increase by over 100 per cent if scholarships and other incentives are offered.

“We must move to prepare ourselves through the deliberate and urgent supply of well-trained teachers with the skills and values to drive STEM implementation across all schools,” added Clarke.

Another aspect of the programme for students at the University of Technology, Jamaica, will be launched on July 6.

Through the SLB a total of 1,000 scholarships will be provided over five years, at a cost of $2.4 billion, to benefit students from low-income households.