Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Ministry of Education and Training through its Ministry’s Action Plans, under its objectives, stated that there should be an increase in the number of teachers specialising in Mathematics, Science and ICT (STEM subjects) by 20 per cent, which is meant to promote the learning of these subjects and production of labour in these fields. This creates a cycle that draws back to secondary schools and tertiary institutions, where students are making their subject choices according to what areas need to be filled in the development structure of our country. As the government promotes these areas of specialisation, this leads to low enrolment on other areas of study such as Economics. If you look at the exam reports for the past three years, it can be rated fifth last from the 12 elective subjects in the EGCSE curriculum in terms of enrolments.
Empowering
Studying Economics has been known for empowering people with skills that enable them to function in any environment they find themselves in. The scope of the subject equips one with viable skills necessary for micro-economic decisions-makers such as, personal financial decisions that include budgeting, saving, and investing. Also, through learning the subject you get to understand better current events, such as inflation and unemployment. In addition, it aids understanding of public policy issues, like taxes, spending and regulation. Economics is more of a practical subject that can be informative to individuals about the current and future trends.
This implies that it is a subject to be studied by almost everyone, despite the area of study or career path. Therefore, the Economics subject can be stated an investment for human resource, which has a long-term strategic value for the survival of human civilisation in the world. In an era that has increasingly developed, prospect for the needed future work seem to revolve around STEM careers.
However, while studying or taking career paths in STEM and related fields one still needs to be aware of the economic environment that surrounds them regardless of the occupation or part of the economy they serve in. For that reason, it would be wise if our country does not run a mile focusing on STEM subjects alone, rather also promote economic literacy. If such is not given attention human capital development will be incomplete as people will continue lack skills and attitudes needed for career success and for being active economic agents. For example, government, through various ministries, calls for the youth’s participation in economic activity, such as taking advantage in STEM projects, entrepreneurship and agriculture.
The question is; ‘how will the youth respond if they possess less or no basic knowledge of how the economy works or develops and how they can play their part?’ Now as our country strives for economic development, it is important that every citizen, especially our youth possess basic economic knowledge. Therefore, in line with promoting STEM subjects, in addition, subjects that foster economic literacy should be promoted, otherwise, economic illiteracy will prevail. And a nation with less economic understanding is likely to hinder its economic growth which has consequences on its own.
Source: TIMES
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