ISLAMABAD – While calling launching of pilot project as a timely step, President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday called for adopting factors required promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education in the country.
Addressing the launching ceremony of STEM pilot project here, he said Pakistan needs to make its utmost efforts to join the global race of technology which would also guarantee the future national economic development.
Dr Alvi said the children’s motivation towards science education would create actual wealth for the country which would later support the industry and IT sector too.
Under the umbrella of Ministry of Science and Technology, the Pakistan Science Foundation is executing the STEM’s first phase project under PSDP programme.
The project is initially being launched in 50 schools across Pakistan, selected based on their excellent academic results during last three years.
Calling STEM education ‘very dear’ to him, the president referred to a survey by Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) which showed that the interest of Pakistani children towards STEM was comparatively low in the region.
Quoting a study by University of Sargodha, the president said visits of parents to museums and science festivals as well as encouragement by the teachers played key role to motivate children towards STEM education.
He said China produced around 4.7 million STEM graduates annually, India 2.6 million and Iran 0.35 million while Pakistan would be far behind in the list.
He also hinted at visiting the STEM schools sometime and added that it was inevitable to uplift the people to compete the world.
Minister for Science and Technology Senator Shibli Faraz said the programme would be spread throughout the country. The selected schools will become hubs of STEM education and will serve as model schools for all schools of adjoining areas.
He said the programme also feature training of teachers and preparation of master trainers. Moreover, a monitoring mechanism will also be in place to examine the productivity of the programme.
Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said the education ministry had launched a pilot programme in 35 educational institutes of Islamabad which would also benefit the Pakistan Science Foundation in STEM initiative.
He said STEM was also part of uniform education curriculum and added that teacher training was of high importance to achieve the desired results.
Pakistan Science Foundation Chairman Dr Shahid Baig also addressed the event, attended by provincial ministers, diplomats and principals of the STEM designated schools.