JAMAICA’S State-owned oil refinery Petrojam is pumping $3 million into two secondary schools in west Kingston to boost their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programmes.

The two schools, St Andrew Technical and Tivoli Gardens High, will benefit from the investment over three years and managing director of Petrojam Telroy Morgan is adamant STEM education must be focused on.

“The Government of Jamaica recognises STEM education as a national priority. All of us at Petrojam share this vision…and understand that our most valuable resource is always our people.

“Investing in our nation’s future through STEM is an opportunity to invest in the youth of our future,” said Morgan as he addressed the launch of the programme at Tivoli High on Thursday.

Morgan pointed out that the investment will provide the necessary resources that will help to foster the development of innovators.

“Petrojam relies heavily on future experts like you and the future studies that will come and the various innovations. Therefore, we have a deep interest in qualifying and equipping the next generation of leaders and innovators,” added Morgan..

The Petrojam head said the investment will include programmes to equip students with first-hand experiences with the hope that they will be encouraged to pursue STEM related careers.

“In addition to the classroom learning, we are very excited to announce a mentorship programme. Students will have an opportunity to connect with employees at Petrojam and, being an engineer myself, I will make myself available. Certainly you would gain invaluable insights from our professionals who actively work in the STEM field across the organisation.

“We are thrilled by the possibility of including students in our summer employee and internship programme. This initiative will allow those students who are selected to experience and apply what they have learnt and they will get to do so in a practical sense, further bridging the gap between education and the workplace. That it is very critical and pivotal,” said Morgan.

He noted that teachers will also be beneficiaries of this investment.

“I want to highlight that our commitment does not stop with the students. We are also investing in and empowering our teachers by supporting continuous development through seminars and workshops. We aim to enhance their skills by creating a robust educational environment that benefits everyone involved,” said Morgan as he declared that one of the key objectives of the programme is to boost students’ performance in mathematics.

“The fact that our math in particular is not where it supposed to be as a nation this is of concern for schools and certainly for the future of our own nation in that respect,” declared Morgan.

In the meantime technical assistant in the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Donaree Muirhead, representing portfolio minister Daryl Vaz, told the launch that the investment by Petrojam will enhance literacy and problem solving skills by students in the two schools.

“Today, Petrojam hands over learning tools including microscopes, projector screens, and STEM kits. The tools will bridge the gap between theory and practice, fostering collaboration and supporting teacher development” said Muirhead.

In welcoming the investment by Petrojam, Member of Parliament for Kingston Western Desmond McKenzie said this will enhance the education outcomes at the two schools which are in his constituency.

“I think today is ground breaking for schools in west Kingston,” said McKenzie, who is also minister of local government and community development.

He urged students to make the most the opportunity to advance in the STEM subjects.

“My charge to you today is not to look at this programme and say, ‘Well, Petrojam makes a whole lot of money. They make profits so they can put back the money’.

“My charge to Tivoli and St Andrew Technical [students] this morning is to make use of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And I say once in a lifetime because not many schools have the opportunity of being a part of what you are,” added McKenzie.