Science, IT subjects: Minister calls for excellence
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan needs to have an education mix for economic development
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan needs to have an education mix for economic development. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal on Friday directed education authorities to formulate a “national plan of action” for excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
He issued the directives on Friday while chairing a meeting to review the state of STEM subjects.
The meeting was also attended by Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and other education officials from federal and provincial bodies. Iqbal said that excellence in science, technology and engineering at school, college and university levels was vital to produce eminent scientists, engineers and technicians.
“We need to utilise blended learning methods to inspire creativity in students,” he said adding that an up-to-date curriculum and teachers’ training in science subjects should be made part of the plan.
The minister said that science and computer labs in every high school, science fairs and competitions and effective monitoring and evaluation systems would be part of the plan.
“Pakistan needs to have an education mix for economic development,” he said adding that for this to happen, focus on STEM subjects at all tiers of education was critical.
Iqbal said that “we need activity-based learning to explore creativity and imagination among the students to develop critical thinking in them”.
He said that public universities should organise refresher courses for the students so that they could compete with students at private varsities.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2016.
Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal on Friday directed education authorities to formulate a “national plan of action” for excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
He issued the directives on Friday while chairing a meeting to review the state of STEM subjects.
The meeting was also attended by Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and other education officials from federal and provincial bodies. Iqbal said that excellence in science, technology and engineering at school, college and university levels was vital to produce eminent scientists, engineers and technicians.
“We need to utilise blended learning methods to inspire creativity in students,” he said adding that an up-to-date curriculum and teachers’ training in science subjects should be made part of the plan.
The minister said that science and computer labs in every high school, science fairs and competitions and effective monitoring and evaluation systems would be part of the plan.
“Pakistan needs to have an education mix for economic development,” he said adding that for this to happen, focus on STEM subjects at all tiers of education was critical.
Iqbal said that “we need activity-based learning to explore creativity and imagination among the students to develop critical thinking in them”.
He said that public universities should organise refresher courses for the students so that they could compete with students at private varsities.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2016.