Executive Director of the National Education Trust (NET), Latoya Harris Ghartey, is urging students across Jamaica to move beyond rote learning and embrace the transformative power of critical thinking.

Speaking during the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) In Action Expo held Thursday (January 29) at the Chinese Benevolent Association in St. Andrew, Mrs. Harris Ghartey described the student exhibits as “blueprints for the nation’s development”.

“Every exhibit, every project, every interactive display is proof that our students are not just absorbing the knowledge but they are thinking critically. They’re innovating, and they’re boldly stepping into the world with solutions that have power to change our lives and our communities,” the Executive Director said.

The event, held in partnership with the British Council, provided students with the opportunity to showcase projects across diverse categories, including robotics and animation, health innovation, renewable energy solutions, agriculture and food technology, environmental advocacy through the arts, and climate solutions.

Mrs. Harris Ghartey highlighted the immense effort and dedication demonstrated by scores of students from schools across Jamaica in reaching the stage where they could present tangible solutions to real-world challenges.

“You’ve used your curiosity in finding a solution to a problem, and there is that belief that we can create solutions to make a difference,” she pointed out.

Mrs. Harris Ghartey also underscored the personal benefits of participating in STEAM, noting that it fosters collaboration among teammates, schools, government, and the private sector, thereby creating “an ecosystem of innovation”.