The former NSW chief scientist, Mary O’Kane, says the STEM debate has been “misguided” and the focus should be on maths, starting in primary school, not the broader science and technology areas.

Professor O’Kane, who now chairs the state's Independent Planning Commission, said she welcomed the comments NSW education minister, Rob Stokes, made on the issue of STEM.

Former NSW chief scientist Mary O'Kane says the STEM debate has been "misguided". Credit:Steven Siewert

Mr Stokes gave a public lecture at Mosman girls’ school Queenwood on Wednesday night, where he said preferencing STEM at the expense of the arts is “demonstrably ludicrous”.

“From government ministers to journalists – from industry CEO’s to senior public servants – people of influence are piling in to denounce the value of philosophy, the arts, and the social sciences – insisting that only by bowing before the altar of STEM will today’s students be adequately equipped to thrive in the 21st century,” Mr Stokes said.