STEM learning underscored to accommodate with global challenges

Senior Staff Reporter, Rangpur :
Administrators and educators has underscored the need for girls’ engagement in Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics [STEM] learning beside the curriculum in the schools in order to compete in the global economy and challenges.
Speakers on Saturday made the observations at RDRS Conference Room of the city in a policy dialogue styled ”Strengthening engagement of underrepresented rural and ethnic girls in meaningful , real- world student-directed environmental problem solving through STEM Knowledge in Bangladesh” a North American Association For Environmental Education support programme. Education & Cultural Society, a volunteer organization organized the event in association with ICT 4E District Ambassadors Forum, Rangpur.
Additional Deputy Commissioner[ Education and ICT] , Abdul Mannan attended as chief guest while Deputy Director, Secondary and Higher Education, Rangpur, Md Shafiqul Islam, Associate Professor , Rangpur Teachers Training College, Jahangir Hasan and District Education Officer , Md Enayet Hossain were present as special guests with Executive Director, ECS ,Kazi Nasrin Siddiqa in the chair.
Heads and teachers of some selected 20 secondary schools of the district joined the event. Executive Director, ECS, Kazi Nasreen Siddiqa made the welcome speech. She said, Education does not only mean centering the syllabus in the book. It also demands to acquire the skills- which make individuals competent in this immensely diverse and fast-paced world through E- STEM Education.
The Chief Guest said, girls’ empowerment is very important for mainstream development. Both male and female students have equal opportunities and access to the education. The advancement of a country depends upon equal participation of male and female in every job. The government has given top priority on GIRLS’ education and science and technology based learning in the country.
She urged the female educators and learners to take the lead of the E- STEM Education campaign as they could make significant changes to accommodate global challenges.
 The special guests said, female teachers and girls’ engagement in every activity are equally important in the schools to develop the soft skills and employable skills among them.
The session was also followed by open discussions. Discussants said, the number of science students has been declining in the secondary schools especially in rural areas of the country. Lack of trained teachers, interactive classes and laboratory facilities are the main reasons. They recommended setting up a STEM Club in every school and engaging the students with multiple science and technology based project education aligned with the curriculum 2021. STEM related education can help the young people develop the knowledge, skills, attitude and values to live and work in a global economy and contribute responsibly to the society both locally and internationally.