Education experts call for making maths accessible to govt schools’ children

LAHORE, June 24: : Education experts at a two-day workshop have emphasized the need for providing an opportunity to students in public sector schools to narrow their innate interest in maths and the traditional learning environments as it would help in encouraging their mathematical thinking, mainstreaming mathematics, and collectively creating new knowledge. The workshop on maths circles was organized at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) here on Friday. The event was part of the STEAM Pakistan project led by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training in partnership with the Malala Fund. This is the first effort of its kind in Pakistan to mainstream maths circles among Pakistani school-going students. Key speakers at the event included Founder of Math for Love, Mr. Dan Finkle; Prof. Dr. MayadaShahada from University of Bahrain, and Chair of the Maths Department at LUMS Prof. Dr. Imran Anwar. Students and faculty focal persons from STEAM Pakistan’s partner universities from across Pakistan participated in the workshop. In his opening remarks, Dr Imran Anwar, Chair of the Maths Department, LUMS, said, “There continues to be a gap between a child’s innate interest in maths and the extent to which traditional learning environments provide them with an opportunity to explore this fascinating subject. We hope to bridge this gap by mainstreaming the practice of maths circles in government schools across Pakistan.” Talking about the concept of maths circles, the organizers on the occasion shared that they were essentially learning spaces that engaged participants in mathematical enrichment activities. – PR