PETALING JAYA: A national-level committee is needed to find out why students are not interested in taking up science subjects.

“This has to be done before steps can be taken to reverse the trend,” said Universiti Utara Malaysia vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Dr Moha­­med Mustafa Ishak.

He said students naturally pursued careers in fields they were interested in and suggested a relook at how science subjects were taught and learnt.

“We need the data to address the problem so that action can be taken to strike a balance between science and arts,” said Dr Mohamed, adding that the Education Ministry has to create enthusiasm for teaching and learning science in classrooms.

He was asked to comment on a study which found that Malaysian students were losing interest in science. Only 21% of those in upper secondary chose to study science subjects in 2014.

The study was carried out by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

Universiti Malaya deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and In­­ter­national) Prof Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud said science should be made relevant to students.

“Students need to see the connection between science and their possible careers,” he said

He said there might be a perception that science subjects were more difficult than arts.

“Courses like business are seen as more attractive options,” he said.

National Space Agency (Angkasa) director-general Dr Noordin Ahmad said students should be allowed to choose the subjects that they wanted to study rather than forcing them into the arts or science streams.

He said students might not like the options of subjects in the science stream.

“Ultimately, companies want well-rounded graduates,” he said.

A Form Five student, who only wanted to be know as Marie, opted for the arts stream after finding science “boring”.

“I didn’t find the subjects interesting,” said the 17-year-old from Kua­la Lumpur, whose ambition is to become a manga (Japanese graphic comic) artist.

Jing Min, 16, said he was forced to go into the science stream by his parents.

“I don’t really like biology but the other subjects are okay,” said the Form Four student from Damansara.

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