With more than enough fanfare the Government made good on its promise to begin work on Jamaica’s first science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) academy.

A $3.7-billion contract has been signed on Thursday last for the design and construction of the school, which will be situated in the Greater Bernard Lodge Development area in Dunbeholden, St Catherine.

We are told that the completed space will feature cutting-edge science and technology laboratories, digital classrooms, and space for digital innovation, robotics, and the creative arts.

Some 2,400 students from grades seven to 13 will benefit from its offerings.

The Government said this will be just the start, as the school will serve as the pilot for a larger initiative aimed at constructing several specialised STEAM schools across the island to prepare graduates or emerging, future-ready careers.

But, while we in this space celebrate the signing of this programme, and join the band shouting, “Hip, hip, hooray!” there must be acknowledgement that, as a nation, we are late to the party.

STEAM education has been a catchphrase for too many years without intentional budgetary allocation and dutiful execution.

The pace needs to get going — and steadily, too — to make this mission a reality.

We have missed opportunities for our complacency and willingness to being adopters and not innovators in the tech space. And so, while we are undoubtedly playing catch-up, we can’t stroll along the tech road, stopping to smell the roses, as we are in a race against time for the nation’s future.

A Jamaica Information Service report advises that the National Education Trust is the implementing agency, with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation as the contracting entity, and that the project will be undertaken in segments, starting with the design phase.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Dr Kasan Troupe got it right in her remarks at the contract signing that it is “not just about the building, but the promise it holds for a brighter Jamaica”.

“We are looking to see the new learning environments where children can create, ideate [and] innovate,” she said, “where they can problem-solve, where they can foster critical thinking… generate the ideas, and facilitate independent learning.”

It behoves her to be aware that the country has no alternative but to stand behind her in this mission and hold her to keep watch to its completion. Heavy the head, but she must get this first one done to pave the way for others.

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Managing Director Jay Wang, for his part, added: “It marks the execution of a shared commitment to investing in Jamaica’s future through education, innovation, and human capital development. It marks the foresight and forward-planning initiatives of the Jamaican people,” he said.

A thinking whose time has long come. Full STEAM ahead, must now be the battle cry.

Though this design phase must take some time for architectural, structural engineering, civil engineering design, among other technical moves, the team must get going within reasonable timelines to advance the mission. In a year’s time we must be seen standing still as ribbons are cut for other projects and priorities shift. The necessary work must get done now. The nation’s true growth and success depends on it.