AKU hosts maths games’ showcase for out-of-school girls

KARACHI:

The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) wrapped up its weeklong celebration of the International Day of Mathematics (IDM) 2024 with a grand showcase centred around this year’s theme titled “Playing with Math.”

The IDM is a global celebration aimed at promoting the joy of learning mathematics. AKU-IED organised various events throughout the week, including workshops and activities for both educators and students.

IDM Event Chair and Assistant Professor at AKU-IED, Dr. Munira Amirali, highlighted the significance of play-based learning in children’s cognitive development, emphasising its role in fostering logical reasoning and connecting different mathematical concepts, thus making mathematics an engaging subject for young minds.

The event featured innovative maths games tailored for over 150 out-of-school children, predominantly girls, who participated in educational activities designed to ignite their interest in mathematics.

Read: ‘26.2m children are out of school’

CEO and Co-Founder of Sindh Singhaar Initiative CEO and Co-Founder, Shireen Hussain, honoured the occasion as the chief guest, stressing the importance of mathematical literacy in daily life.

The event marked the culmination of a week filled with activities, including a workshop attended by 35 teachers, predominantly female, who were trained in crafting engaging maths games.

A special session was conducted by

The Dawood Foundation’s Magnifi Science Centre conducted a special session at the event. As the event coincided with International Women’s Day, it spotlighted captivating maths games created by female educators from across Karachi, overseen by an all-woman workshop planning team from AKU-IED. “The commitment of AKU-IED and its partners to promoting the joy of learning mathematics is commendable.

Present on the occasion, AKU-IED Dean and Professor, Dr Farid Panjwani, underscored the institution’s dedication to innovative and effective teaching practices.

By involving educators and students in playful maths activities, AKU-IED aims to instil a passion for mathematics and inspire lifelong learning.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2024.