ISLAMABAD: In an attempt to improve learning outcomes in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (Steam) in middle and high schools, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday between representatives of the Ministry of Education and Professional Training and eight higher educational institutions.

“Universities, with their expertise and resources such as qualified faculty members, laboratories, spaces, the larger academic ecosystem and a significant geographic spread of student population present a unique opportunity which the ministry wants to benefit from,” said Secretary Education Naheed S. Durrani.

She said: “Our aspiration is for 100,000 school children and 5,000 teachers to be directly impacted by this collaboration within the first year of the partnership.”

“It is for the first time in Pakistan that in line with international best practices, a framework of university-school engagements has been developed with the specific objective to target improvement in Steam learning,” Additional Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said, adding, “This framework is designed to ensure that our girls are not left behind in the pursuit of modern education.”

100,000 children to be impacted by partnership, official says

Institutions that a part of the MoU are: National Textile University, Faisalabad, NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilisers Research, Faisalabad, NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology, Multan, Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design, Lahore, Federal College of Education, Islamabad, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and National Skills University, Islamabad.

Vice-chancellors from partner universities have welcomed this move as they believe it will provide a chance for school students to get ready for university. This initiative is part of the Steam Pakistan intervention, for which Malala Fund is providing support to the education ministry. As part of this support, a policy unit, led by Pak Alliance for Science and Math (Pams) has also been established in the ministry so that technical assistance could be provided to the government.

According to Malala Fund Director Javed Ahmed Malik, there is a need to engage high school students with a range of players including industry leaders, universities, organisations working on promotion of science as well as the media. “If provided, elements missing in high school education such as effective lab usage, remedial education, art, and sports have the potential to transform the learning experience of students, especially girls,”he added.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2022