Secretary Education Sindh Zahid Ali Abbasi on Friday announced that the Sindh School Education and Literary Department (SELD) would initiate Middle Teach Steam for informal and non-formal education, Internet of Things and planning to reform the examination system to emphasize creative thinking.
The next initiative will be to introduce junior science leaders in elementary schools. To achieve this, SELD will recruit specialized science teachers for these schools. Each school will have three dedicated teachers: one for computer science and two for general science subjects.
While addressing at the STEAM Symposium 2024 organized by Thar Education Alliance (TEA), in collaboration with the School Education and Literacy Department (SELD), Reform Support Unit (RSU), and UNICEF at Karachi.
The SELD has always supported initiatives that inspire students. He expressed his admiration for the outstanding performance of students from government schools in remote areas, particularly in science projects. Despite the many challenges and missing links in the education system, Abbasi emphasized that with the support of partners and organizations like the Thar Education Alliance, they have successfully fostered a strong interest in science across Sindh, he added.
Additional Secretary SELD, Dr Fouzia Khan said that the Sindh Youth STEAM Festival provided valuable opportunities for students in Sindh to showcase their talents. It was a great success for SELD and its supporting partners, opening new avenues in STEAM education. Over 12,000 students participated in these festivals, with more events planned for the future.
All participants are encouraged to visit schools and inspire potential as ‘STEAM Safeer’. Every child has the spirit and potential to excel.
Asif Abrar from UNICEF stated that the objectives of this symposium are to review the recommendations from experts at the Festival and propose actionable steps to the relevant stakeholders. Additionally, it aims to recognize the achievements of adolescents and young people, particularly noting the strong interest from female students in remote, marginalized communities.
Mads Sorensen, UNICEF’s Regional Advisor, Adolescent Participation, Skills and Employability, stated that witnessing the talent of students in STEAM is exciting. Young people need support for equal opportunities, as they are the leaders of both today and the future. They have dreams, and organizations like ours need to ensure that these dreams come true.
Partab Shivani, the Chief Executive Officer of Thar Education Alliance (TEA), expressed that their journey began in Mithi, Tharparkar, back in 2017 with a one-day science festival. This event became a significant activity for the town, leading TEA to organize similar festivals in various parts of the region, eventually culminating in the Sindh Science Festival in Karachi. The Minister of Education for Sindh, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, praised the success of these festivals and suggested organizing them in every district of Sindh.
Shivani noted that this symposium is the result of all these festivals and that it will generate significant momentum as the new budget is about to be announced, incorporating expert recommendations from these events. It is commendable that the Ministry of Education has recently announced a tender for science centers in different regions of Sindh, a recommendation that emerged from the science festivals.
These efforts have produced 18 junior scientists, and with the support of UNICEF, RSU, SELD, and the STEAM working committee, more scientists will be nurtured. These young scientists are stars who will shine even brighter in the future.
During a panel discussion on ‘Technical Dialogue with STEAM Experts,’ speakers including Sana Kazimi, Abdul Majeed Bhurt, Afia Salem, Azmat Hafeez, and others stated that the government is making strides in the development of education by introducing new and advanced initiatives.
However, they emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated policy for STEAM education to be initiated by the Sindh Government. They pointed out that in remote areas of Sindh, where students often dislike mathematics, there is a critical need for trained STEAM teachers who can inspire students and foster a love for learning. The speakers also advocated for the systematic implementation of learning and the continuity of festivals like this one.
They noted that talent is abundant, as evidenced by the innovation and energy displayed by students at the festival and symposium. However, it is crucial to invest in guiding this knowledge towards the right avenues. While the Science Lab initiative by SELD and the hiring of subject specialist teachers are positive steps, many gray areas still need to be addressed.
Around 18 stories of winning students from three festivals were showcased at the event.
The diverse participation encouraged every student’s confidence, as they came from humble backgrounds. Despite their circumstances, their science projects and level of understanding were amazing.
In the closing ceremony of the event shields and awards were distributed among the students and speakers.