Challenge and Obstacles of STEM Education in Malaysia

Abstract

STEM education is a very important element of education for the development and progress of a developing country like Malaysia. For this reason, the government has introduced the Malaysia Education Blueprint (2013-2025) to ensure that the country keeps pace with the development of science and technology. At the same time, it does not exclude the strengthening of technical and vocational fields in the current national education system. The purpose of this study is to examine the challenges and obstacles of STEM education in Malaysia, especially as the implementation is now entering the final phase of the wave for the year 2021-2025. This study also discusses the declining trend of student participation in high school toward STEM education as of the current year. The goal of 60:40 percent student participation in Science and Arts policy is still far from being achieved. By shedding light on the challenges and obstacles facing STEM education in Malaysia, this research is motivated by the need to enhance the quality and accessibility of STEM education in the country, and its findings will provide valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in the academic community, thereby contributing to the ongoing discourse on the development of STEM education in Malaysia and beyond.