Malahoo Forte urges STEM students to lead fight against climate change
Published:Monday | February 3, 2025 | 4:33 PMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU
Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte, the member of parliament for St James West Central, is calling for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students to step up and tackle the urgent issue of climate change.
She said while traditional careers such as medicine and law are still important, the world now desperately needs innovative engineers and scientists to address the environmental crises threatening the planet.
“Imagine finding the solution to real world problems, boys and girls. Everywhere you go, Jamaicans are showing up as part of the solution. I want you to picture yourself, for example, designing a future of renewable energy that will combat climate change coming from an island in the sun, where there is a natural abundance of energy,” said Malahoo Forte.
“I want to say to you, place no limits on what you can do or what you can become, absolutely none, as you continue your journey in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, I urge you to think not only about what is, but what can be,” she added.
Malahoo Forte was delivering the main address during a presentation ceremony on January 25 for the Derrick Sudeall STEM Scholarship to 25 students at Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay. The scholarship covers six levels, valued at $1 million.
“Do not underestimate what your creativity, your passion and your determination can achieve,” she encouraged the recipients. “I want you to become the problem solvers; not just talking about what needs to be done, not just creating the idea about what needs to be done, but moving to implementing, moving it from a school-based assessment solution to a problem to real implementation.”
Everett Riley, senior education officer at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Region 4 office, which covers the parishes of St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland, expressed gratitude to Sudeall, a retired Jamaican educator and principal, for providing the scholarships to the students.
Riley said the STEM scholarships mark a significant milestone in Herbert Morrison’s development.
“Mr Sudeall, the ministry is quite happy with your partnership and we are extremely grateful that you have decided to lend not just your time and energies, but you have given the students hope in that, through these scholarships, they can move further into their own educational pursuit and to become the successful gentlemen and ladies that we are looking forward to in the future,” said Riley.
Sudeall, a native of Hanover, said that giving back to those needing a foundation helps him feel good about himself and allows him to feel younger.
“I believe deeply in the power of education, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These disciplines are the building blocks of innovation and progress,” Sudeall told the STEM scholarship recipients.
Speaking with The Gleaner after the event, the former educator said he has silently provided scholarships to other schools before but, on this occasion, he has chosen Herbert Morrison largely because of its STEM programme.
“I am interested in the sciences because I really believe it’s an important part of our future and this school fits the bill,” he said.