SWAT: Students and learners of different schools here the other day urged the government to transform the existing education system towards Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based approach so that they could meet the future challenges.

They said this during an exhibition of models they made after taking STEM classes on their subjects only for one day. They exhibited their models in the research and development hall of Skool21 in Mingora.

They said the traditional stand-and-deliver teaching method was not only boring but also ineffective, which must be replaced with an interactive, creative and active learning method, feasible in the modern era of science and technology.

“In our school the teachers come and deliver lectures by reading and writing the topic. After the lecture we have to memorise the written work and write it in a test or exam. But the STEM teacher involved us in the topic, used audios, videos, images through the computer and online system,” said Ariba, a grade four student who was standing with her model she made with recycled materials.

The students said they loved the hands-on experience which they carried out collaboratively. “Our teacher taught us a mathematics lesson through learning management system in which we not only learnt how to solve the sums and measurement, but also applied it in making a bridge,” said Marjan Rehman, a student of grade three.

A group of students of grade four who were standing behind their water filtration gadget made from simple materials said it could be used during hiking or trekking if one had no drinking water.

STEM experts said the world had entered the fourth industrial revolution, but the education system in the developing countries was still for the second industrial revolution. The students and education experts demanded of the government to introduce STEM-based education in the country.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2021