PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to introduce a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) learning model in degree colleges across the province to better align higher education with modern and market-oriented needs.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Provincial Minister for Higher Education and Local Government Mina Khan Afridi. Secretary of Higher Education Dr Israr and other relevant officials attended the meeting.
Officials briefed the minister on the progress made so far towards the launch of the STEAM learning model. It was informed that in the first phase, 2,250 faculty members of degree colleges would be trained in STEAM-based teaching methodologies, with women making up 50 per cent of the trainees. Around 30,000 students are expected to benefit directly from the initiative in its initial phase.
The meeting was told that the introduction of STEAM learning would lead to a 50% increase in the use of digital tools in teaching and learning. Products and projects developed under the STEAM framework would be showcased at provincial, national and international levels. An amount of Rs341 million has been earmarked for the first phase of the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Afridi stressed that faculty training must translate into tangible benefits for students. “It should not happen that teachers receive training while students gain nothing,” he said, adding that the STEAM model would help prepare students for contemporary and market-driven demands.
The minister further said that participation in and contribution to the STEAM learning model would also be considered in the future promotion criteria for faculty members, underlining the government’s commitment to improving the quality and relevance of higher education in the province.
KPESE suspends Female Education Officer
Earlier, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department (KPESE) had suspended the Bannu District Education Officer (Female) Shahida Perveen, for ninety days over alleged persistent absence from the office.
According to sources, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has suspended District Education Officer (Female), Shahida Parveen, for 90 days.
According to a formal notification issued in this regard, Shahida Parveen has been directed to report to the Directorate of Elementary and Secondary Education, Peshawar, immediately.
The notification states that there were allegations of repeated absences, leaving the station without permission and continuous negligence in administrative matters against the DEO (Female), which has severely impacted the administrative affairs of the department in Bannu district.
According to sources, her continuous absences had paralysed the departmental affairs.
On the other hand, the letter sent by Deputy Commissioner Bannu Muhammad Fahim to the Education Department also pointed out the habitual absences and poor performance of Shahida Parveen, after which it was recommended to surrender her services.
In light of the same letter, the Education Department took action and suspended her immediately and instructed her to report to the establishment department of the KPESE.
