Mather urges deCastro to prove STEAM is working!
Territorial At-Large Representative Stacey ‘Buddha’ Mather has called on Education Minister Sharie deCastro to provide data proving the effectiveness of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiative in the BVI.
Mather’s comments came during a House of Assembly debate on a recent Schedule of Additional Provisions (SAP) to the budget.
Mather commended deCastro for executing educational initiatives but emphasised the need for accountability.
“It’s been two years since the STEAM initiative was pushed. That’s enough time to review its impact,” Mather said. He urged the minister to “substantiate with data that the programme is working, especially coming up to the budget process.”
Mather highlighted educators’ concerns about the direction of new initiatives like STEAM and ICT. He said, “Veteran educators call me and say, ‘Mather, I’m concerned about where we’re going.’”
While expressing his willingness to support increased funding, Mather stressed that evidence of success is essential. “Prove that it’s working so that support can come,” he added.
The budget allocated $10,000 for iPad cases under the STEAM initiative, which Mather noted as a positive step. However, he also encouraged deCastro to assist her colleagues in executing other government programmes. “Help them realise what needs to be done because you have a track record of execution,” he said.
Premier backs deCastro’s efforts
In the meantime, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley strongly supported deCastro, describing her as “formidable” and a “force to be reckoned with.” He praised her commitment to advancing the education system through STEAM and other innovative approaches, such as robotics and ICT.
“She has been pushing very hard for the STEAM programme,” Dr Wheatley said. “Education is not just about having a building and teachers. You need the ‘manipulatives’, the resources. We need to ignite the intellects of these young people, ignite their curiosity, show them that learning is fun.”
The Premier announced an allocation of $410,000 to the Ministry of Education for digital boards and equipment to support ICT programmes. He credited deCastro with advocating for creative methods to engage students and ensuring resources are available to enhance their learning experience.
DeCastro’s efforts were likened to the BVI’s first female Chief Justice, Dame Janice Pereira, who was recently honoured. Drawing inspiration from a tribute to Pereira’s resilience, Dr Wheatley described deCastro as “little but tallawah,” a Jamaican term meaning small but mighty.
The STEAM initiative, a cornerstone of deCastro’s education agenda, aims to equip students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
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Four of the components of STEAM; these being, science, technology, engineering and arts; require dedicated spaces within a school. They cannot effectively be taught in a warren of outdated classrooms.
The design of the new high school building makes no provision for these essential subjects.
Roger Burnett
It seems like this rookie gentleman has a personal beef and dislike for the education minister. Always something.
What exactly is this young boy’s responsibility while in office? Fulfill your mission and quit picking at others who are doing their job.
So annoying.
DAH MAN IS THE SHADOW MINISTER FOR THAT MINISTRY
That is the problem with your idiots. If someone speaks out anything, the first thing is you dislike or have a problem with the person.Tell me what has the young girl aka Education Minister has done? Stay silent and travel?
4 words, SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!!!!!! The little girl ain’t doing S;;t.
She is not doing anythinggggggggg. She don’t speak, she walk around like a stuff r*t, always on a plane flying on the tax payer’s dime and ea*ing. Why don’t she come out in public and prove…………. Know why? because she can’t.If Mather was Education Minister, things would running the proper way. Time for the little girl to look for another job that is not connected to the Education Department.
Education in the the pits…let somw of these kids write a simple sentence they can’t…Siri spells everything for 3/4 0f them.
Why is it that some of you folks cannot disagree with others in a mature and decent way?
Why do you have to call people out of their names to demean them?
Why refer to these elected officials as “rookie gentleman”, “young boy”, and “Little Girl”.
I know why. People who speak of others this way often times aint worth squat themselves. They have to insult others to make themselves feel important.
Just that you know when you post those kinds of messages, people like me don’t take you serious or what you are trying to say. You demeaning words takes away from your message.
You can disagree with people any time, but you don’t have to be demeaning or disrespectful.
The program should be STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics to start. Take out the Arts until we can get STEM up and running. This approach would allow STEM to maintain its focus and simplicty, while art could be explored as its own domain and integrated selectively.
In response to “Engineer”.
If art is limited to painting pictures, I would agree with what you are saying.
But the creative arts embrace many forms of expression, all of which nurture creative thinking. The scientist, engineer and mathematician all benefit from a grounding in that wider interpretation of art.
All facets of the creative arts are fundamental to my work as a painter, sculptor, designer, craftsman and inventive engineer.
Above all else, creative thinkers and doers are desperately needed in these islands.
Roger Burnett
Art, by its nature, is subjective and open to interpretation, allowing for many different truths depending on perspective. STEM, on the other hand, is grounded in objective principles—2+2 will always equal 4, regardless of interpretation. This clarity is vital, especially when introducing foundational concepts to students.
I fully agree that art plays an important role in shaping a vibrant, creative community and can greatly enhance problem-solving in technical fields. But I believe it’s more effective to first establish a strong, clear foundation in STEM. Once students are confident in these challenging subjects, art can then be introduced to enrich creativity and interdisciplinary thinking.
Ah GO say it again , – matter know s what he was getting into , now judge idiot , let me break it down
for you , Those who live here cannot see what the child is or has been doing in the concentration camp , since she has been there , so if you can , would you be hind enough to show or tell US whatever *IT* is , / NOW HOLLER AT US , WE ARE WAITING
She ain’t doing nothing just getting eating and getting big off tax payers money
She not doing a damn only get pay to run a crazy mouth
I share the same sentiments like Mather on this concept of STEAM. Our education system is at rock bottom with only fancy words and statements to keep it on life support. This whole thing about STEAM is just another buzz word to create an impression that idoes not exist in the primary or secondary school. Our students are set up for failure because this thing is not working. We need to go back to the basics.
No Mather, S.T.E.A.T is just an acronym made up by donor countries who get our ministers to sit like children and told what to do, so this steam talk ain’t changing anything, our education is for service industry, not manufacturing or anything that make us independent.