By PRISCA LUMINGU
TECHNOLOGY and Science Minister Felix Mutati has urged Zambians to shift their conversations on how the nation can find new solutions to alternative fuel rather than focusing the debates on the removal of fuel subsidies. Mr. Mutati said this would make the country be less dependent on the importation of fuel.He said this can be achieved through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-STEM.”We are shifting to a new conversation as a nation, our conversation must not be focused for example on discussing and debating the removal of fuel subsidies. Our conversation must be focused on how as a nation we can find new solutions and answers to alternative fuel such as biofuel and hydrogen so that the country is less dependent on importation of fuel,” Mr Mutati said.Mr. Mutati said this when he launched the Centre of Excellence for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-STEM at Kasempa Day School yesterday at the total cost of K3million.Mr Mutati said the country is gifted with copper, forestry and many other natural resources, but that the biggest export for the future will be technology and innovation.He said the country would earn more from technology and innovation hence the need to champion the agenda of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”We are changing the mindset that it is no longer the raw materials that you can make money from but through technology and Science,” he said. And Mr. Mutati said the STEM Centre which costs K3 million is a one by four block which comprises a one computer laboratory, one library and two science laboratory which will be used to equip the pupils.He said the new dawn government is pursuing an agenda on technology and Science because it believes that it is the new normal.And speaking at the same event, Kasempa Member of Parliament Brenda TambaTamba said the launch of the STEM Centre had come at an opportune time when the new dawn government administration has proritized the provision of quality of education.Ms Tambatamba who is also Labour and Social Security Minister said upgrading of Kasempa Day Secondary School into a STEM Centre is a progressive development that will see Kasempa constituency be counted amongst the living institutions of contributors to the country’s transformation agenda.”For Zambia to achieve its long vision of being a prosperous mid income country by 2030, it has to raise it’s productivity levels and my ministry is on top of that agenda which will be done by promoting STEM especially amongst the rural population,” Ms TambaTamba said.And Ministry of General Education permanent secretary Joel Kamoka who represented the Minister of Education Dougas Syakalima said it was fact that 75% of the future jobs will require STEM skills and knowledge hence the investment of STEM in the education sector.
