Date: Wednesday, 21 August 2024
Author: Emmanuel A. A. Ubiu.
Country: South Sudan.
Source: South Sudan Robotics Team to participate in the FIRST GLOBAL Challenge in 2024 (FIRST Global)
SUMMARY
In this article, we seek to understand the relationship between education in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field and economic development. This article focuses on the natural resources of South Sudan and the required skills needed to best exploit them so as to foster economic growth. It further discusses how these skills must be provided by the education system.
BACKGROUND
Imagine going to bed not knowing how much a loaf of bread would cost the following day. A fragile economy is the worst of all. The South Sudanese pound keeps depreciating against the U.S dollar despite the government's efforts to curb the situation. This has led to a stagnant economy and highly volatile markets. This has even affected the delivery of effective education to the population of South Sudan. In July 2024, the Ministry of Education announced an inability to fund the marking of exam papers for the Certificate of Secondary Education, underscoring the risks posed by a stagnant economy.
Relationship between Economic Development and STEM Education
Economic development is nurtured by productivity - the idea of achieving more with less. Through the current technological advancement that is taking the world by storm, we learn how automation, AI, and IoT are used to enhance productivity in various fields which in turn foster economic growth. Such example is the use of automatic farm management systems in agriculture to improve output productivity through the use of AI, robotics, sensors, and IoT devices.
The role played by STEM in production is great. This is where STEM education comes in because it provides a skill-based curriculum and technology integration that strengthen practicality. Through the introduction of a skill-based curriculum in schools in the STEM field, students get to acquire real-world technological skills that stimulate innovation and creativity.
These in turn encourage the educated in the STEM field to develop sustainable solutions to tackle issues of productivity in the manufacturing and production sectors. However, for an effective skill-based curriculum to be introduced to schools in South Sudan, there has to be some sort of investment to be made in the field. This highlights the interdependent nature of the relationship between Education in STEM and the economy; one cannot survive without the other. Now that we recognize the importance of STEM education in driving economic development, it is crucial to understand the skills cultivated through STEM education and how these skills can be nurtured and applied to harness the natural resources of South Sudan. Such skills are obtained through the following professions.
South Sudan's Natural Resources and the required Professions to Exploit them
South Sudan is a vast land with 98% arable land boasting the biggest oil reserves in the East African region. Many minerals such as iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, and gold in the Kapoeta area of Eastern Equatoria are said to be present as well as trees like teak leading the forestry industry. The White Nile acts as the source of fish and abundant fresh drinking water. Recently South Sudan was discovered to have the biggest wildlife population. All these natural resources require the highest level of skills to exploit and manage them effectively so as to foster economic development. The resources and their corresponding skills are as listed below:
Arable land: To exploit this resource, knowledge, and skills in modern agriculture, land management, and environmental science as well as social science are required.
Oil: Geologists and Geophysicists, Petroleum Engineers, Drilling Engineers, Drill Operators and Technicians,
Minerals: Geologists, Mining Engineers, Metallurgists
Forestry: Conservation Biologists, Logging Technicians, and Operator
Wildlife: Wildlife Ecologists, Biodiversity Specialists, Zoologists
White Nile: Renewable Energy Specialists, Aquaculture Experts
How the Education System can provide these Skills
Regularly updating the curriculum is essential to align the skills taught in schools with the evolving demands of the job market. A skill-focused curriculum, combined with the integration of modern technology in education, can better prepare students for the workforce. For example, incorporating tools like drills and CNC machines into construction training programs equips students with hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills. This approach not only bridges the gap between education and employment but also empowers students to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the successful introduction of a skill-based curriculum in South Sudan's schools will require substantial investment in the education sector. Also, we gain an understanding of the interconnected relationship between STEM education and the economy—each depends on the other for survival and growth. As we acknowledge the vital role STEM education plays in economic development, it becomes essential to not only cultivate relevant skills but also nurture and apply them effectively. These skills can be harnessed through a wide range of professions, each contributing to the sustainable use of South Sudan's abundant natural resources. Hence by investing in education and fostering STEM capabilities, South Sudan can pave the way for long-term economic prosperity and self-reliance
REFERENCES
UNESCO(1988), Education and employment: some basic concepts, https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000080548.
Famine Early Warning Systems Network(2024), Deteriorating economy accelerates price increases and drives growing food gaps, https://fews.net/east-africa/south-sudan/key-message-update/march-2024.(March 2024)
USAID, Economic Growth, https://www.usaid.gov/south-sudan/economic-growth-and-trade.
Eye Radio(2024), Awut laments delayed CSE exams marking, teachers salaries, https://www.eyeradio.org/awut-laments-delayed-cse-exams-marking-teachers-salaries/. (July 13, 2024)
First Global(2024), Team South Sudan 2024, https://first.global/2024-nations/south-sudan2024/#:~:text=STEM%20education%20gears%20Youth%20to,in%20Agriculture%20to%20rededicate%20hunger.
Wikipedia, Economy of South Sudan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_South_Sudan#:~:text=The%20region%20also%20contains%20many,of%20Eastern%20Equatoria%2C%20and%20hydropower.
African News(2024), South Sudan says its 6M antelope make up the world’s largest land mammal migration, but poaching on the rise, https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/26/south-sudan-says-its-6m-antelope-make-up-worlds-largest-land-mammal-migration-but-poaching//. (26 June 2024)
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