Prime Minister Imran Khan approved on Friday the launching of the STEM education project aimed at promotion science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in 400 higher secondary schools across the country.
In the first phase, the prime minister approved the setting up of special science labs in 40 schools in collaboration with the universities. Subsequently, roughly 100,000 children in 400 schools would have access to education and training in modern sciences.
STEM— science, technology, engineering and mathematics — is the idea of educating students in the four specific disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach instead of teaching them as separate subjects.
Imran gave approval of the project during a meeting to review several new projects of the Science and Technology Ministry. It was attended by Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Adviser on Commerce Razak Dawood, finance secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman and others.
During the meeting, the minister briefed the prime minister about some of the important projects, achievements and future plans of the ministry for the promotion of science and technology in the country.
Chaudhry apprised the prime minister of the progress made so far on the proposed project of establishing a university of modern education in engineering and emerging technologies at the Prime Minister House.
The minister also gave briefing on a project aimed at providing employment to youth and women by setting up clean water supply plants across the country.
He also presented a proposed roadmap for increasing the country’s potential for the manufacturing of medical devices and a detailed plan to modernise the agriculture sector and increase agricultural production by utilising modern technology.
Appreciating the proposals for the agriculture sector, increasing the country’s exports and promoting science and technology in the country, the prime minister said that Pakistan’s young generation had immense potential.
Imran while directing that the proposed plans be finalised as soon as possible so that their implementation phase could begin, said the development of the country was linked to the promotion of science and technology. He subsequently directed that obstacles to the proposed projects be removed.
Meanwhile, the prime minister lauded the efforts of the science and technology ministry, especially the minister for the manufacturing of safety kits, ventilators and other equipment at the local level during the coronavirus pandemic.
Originally published at Tribune