By Fazal Khaliq
SWAT: Education experts and students said that the existing educational system was outdated and only the STEM educational approach could enable them to compete in the global economy and other fields of science and technology.
They were speaking in a Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) exhibition to mark the international STEM Day which was organized by Swat Public School (SPS). Students of different grades and campuses participated in the exhibition where various STEM projects were exhibited. The first STEM books series from grade nursery to grade 6 with the STEM kits were also exhibited in the STEM Day celebrations.
Students in the event said that it was not the age of conventional schooling where students only cram lessons. “It is a modern era of the artificial intelligence, internet, smartphones, eCommerce, robotics, coding, science, and technology but students are entangled in cramming the written work which is why we are behind from other nations,” said Muhammad Amir Saeed a student of grade 8, adding that he was lucky that his school had introduced STEM educational approach and was the only school to celebrate STEM Day in the region.
Students said that they did not feel easy in the conventional educational system which was unfortunately prevailed in the country. They said that STEM Day was celebrated in the United States and other European countries and were excited that they celebrated it for the first time in their school.
“The requirements of the 21st century is different but unfortunately the educational institutes cannot teach according to the 21st-century skills. The conventional educational methodology is very boring too but I am happy that we are learning through STEM approach and this is why we are taking interest in it,” said Zuhair Akbar, another grade 8 student.
Educationists and teachers also visited the event and said that it was the government’s responsibility to introduce the STEM approach in the educational system of Pakistan.
“Students learn better when they are involved in a lesson practically. STEM educational approach is far better as students have to make projects with their own engineering design method after thorough critical thinking and collaboration with other classmates in groups,” said Asghar Ali principal of Swat Public School where the STEM Day celebrations were held.
Students also took part in various competitions including essay writing, poster making, and model making to mark the day.
