Lahore, June 25, 2022
“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.” These views were shared by Dr Imran Anwar, Chair of the Maths Department during a two-day workshop on maths circles organized at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The event was part of the STEAM Pakistan project led by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) in partnership with the Malala Fund.
Talking about the concept of maths circles the organizers shared that they were essentially learning spaces that engaged participants in mathematical enrichment activities. Such spaces are aimed at encouraging mathematical thinking, mainstreaming mathematics, and collectively creating new knowledge. “Maths Circles are one of the core program activities of STEAM Pakistan through which faculty members and students of our partner universities will visit government schools to attract children towards maths by introducing them to concepts and problems through fun, relatable activities that they will learn as part of this two-day workshop. We are confident that our efforts will inspire a generation of learners in Pakistan, especially young girls, to approach maths with curiosity and love instead of fear,” added Sana Kazmi, Head of Partnerships with the STEAM Pakistan project.
Key speakers at the event included Mr. Dan Finkle – Founder of Math for Love, Professor Dr. Mayada Shahada – University of Bahrain, and Professor Dr. Imran Anwar – Chair of the Maths Department at LUMS. Students and faculty focal persons from STEAM Pakistan’s partner universities from across Pakistan participated in the workshop. “I understand that this was a first-of-its-kind event in Pakistan. I hope it will prove instrumental for the evolution of maths learning in Pakistan and make greater space for global linkages,” Dr. Mayada Shahada said while commenting.
Highlighting the significance of STEAM Pakistan, Javed Malik, Programme Director Malala Fund Pakistan shared, “STEAM Pakistan is a collaborative project through which we are providing support to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to advance secondary school-aged girls’ access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education in Pakistan.” The STEAM model of education essentially adopts an integrated approach to learning that propagates cross-disciplinary learning among students and capacitates them from an early age to think critically, work collaboratively, independently devise creative solutions and become resilient problem solvers.
This is the first effort of its kind in Pakistan to mainstream maths circles among Pakistani school-going students. The maths circle organized at LUMS was part of a series of similar events that will be arranged under the STEAM Pakistan project to make integrated learning possible for high school students across the country with a special focus on enabling girls.
