U.S. President Barack Obama has called for millions of dollars in funding to foster good math and science teachers.

While hosting the second White House Science Fair on Tuesday, Obama said students help the U.S. compete for the jobs and industries of the future when they excel in math and science.

The U.S. president said he would request 80 million U.S. dollars in his upcoming budget proposal in order to recruit, support and retain excellent math and science teachers. He also revealed a plan to raise a fund of 22 million dollars through donations from the private sector for the purpose.

Last year, the U.S. president announced a goal to prepare 100-thousand math and science teachers over the next ten years.