A lack of basic level understanding for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education has been identified among 51 per cent of teachers, creating a barrier to effectively educate students in the classrooms.

The data was among several findings revealed in the National STEAM Education Report which was launched by the British Council on Thursday.

The findings were a part of an Education Readiness Assessment desk review in the report, which highlighted gaps in the nation's STEAM education system.

The study was focused on 93 randomly and purposively selected primary and secondary schools located across the seven regions of the Ministry of Education and Youth, to ascertain their attitudes, disposition, and readiness for STEAM education, as well as an assessment of their ICT (information and communication technology) needs.

Associate dean of external engagement at the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies, Mona Dr Andre Coy said the findings suggest that there is a need for a STEAM ecosystem.

"We have no lack of the resources here in Jamaica. We have no lack of the training capacities, we have no lack of brilliant children who are able to take us where we need to go, we do not have coordination. The major recommendation of this report is that we develop this ecosystem," said Coy.

"We have to have to have a strong community based STEAM ecosystem where you have children not only seeing STEAM and hearing about STEAM on television, in schools or classrooms but actually being able to do hands on projects," he added.

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