Excerpts from the Panel Discussion on ‘Focusing on STEM to Transform Classrooms to Learning Rooms’

The panel discussion on ‘Focusing on STEM to Transform Classrooms to Learning Rooms’ at the India CSR Summit, held on November 15, 2022, explored the challenges and opportunities ailing India’s STEM Education.?

This article highlights some of the key recommendations discussed by a diverse panel of Mr? George Aikara of United Way Mumbai, Ms Pratima Harite of Lenovo Asia Pacific, Ms Seema Suman of SKF India Limited, Ms Joyeeta Das of IBM, and Mr Bijay Chowdhury of Synopsys Inc.??

India contributes 31.7% of all the STEM graduates in the whole world. The National Science Foundation estimates that 80% of all jobs created in the next decade will have some bases or requirement of Math and Science skills. That’s how the future is going to evolve. Besides, there has been a 44 per cent increase in STEM job postings over the past two years.

However, there are certain anomalies in our current system that we cannot overlook. When it comes to STEM Education, by and large, there are five systemic issues globally.

1. The fundamental skill gap

2. Belief gap

3. Post-secondary gap?

4. Geographic gap

5. Demographic gap

Key recommendations from the session:

Technological interventions for capacity building of teachers??

Ms Pratima Harite , Head of Philanthropy & CSR, Lenovo Asia Pacific mentioned that when we talk about STEM, there is a dire need of diverting attention to teachers so that they can effectively inculcate STEM concepts in students. A teacher, on average, has 220 days in an academic year to complete not just the syllabus but to manage additional responsibilities of mid-day meals or extracurricular activities. Consequently, depriving them of the opportunity to rescale or upskill themselves. They do not get time to engage their thought process in STEM or Science developments. Thus, apps like 'Meghshala' are required to build the capacity of the teachers in a manner that does not disturb their teaching facility.?

iMobile apps and Science centres?

The lack of infrastructure in schools is a significant barrier to achieving STEM education. We need Science centres everywhere that can be connected to iMobile apps. That further allows the students who lack science infrastructure in their schools to directly come to affiliated science centres with the help of iMobile apps.

Promoting women internships?

Ms Joyeeta Das , Lead & Strategist, Global Education and Workforce Development, IBM pressed on rather a very crucial issue, she said that if we are to develop a 'Made in India’ product, do we really have the talent to create that product? Women students in ITI colleges cannot move ahead because they simply don’t have a learning atmosphere to take their concepts forward. That’s where the concept of internships is needed. These internships help in bringing a natural pool of women talent from ITI colleges to the manufacturing sector.

Need for direct communication

Even though different models are being created every day by multiple stakeholders, the one who is left behind is the poor little student. Therefore, there is a need for creating focus groups involving teachers to get their input. Input as to what will really work for them in a classroom environment. Different partners try to give you logic and reasoning that fulfil their purpose, but when you interact with the government, the scenario is entirely different. Therefore, direct communication should be promoted. Also, the government has done a brilliant job in building the infrastructure, but it is underutilised. Instead of building fresh ones, using them as skill hubs is the key.

Need for continuous brainstorming

There is a continuous need for agile thinking; if something has worked out for one state, that does not mean it will work for another. There is a need for continuous brainstorming, and a good connection with the stakeholders on the ground is very crucial. And, of course, with the beneficiaries too. There is a real need of tapping the talents of kids so they are not confused when they face the workplace scenario.

Sustainability?

As we move to our sustainable models, it is high time we think about the long-term impacts and outcomes during the initial phases of the interventions. We need to consider all three aspects of development, People, Profit and Planet. In a public-private partnership, we see the participation of various stakeholders. Gradually, after three years, the project should become self-sustainable.

Ground check by NGOs?

Before NGOs approach corporates for funding, a thorough ground check is required at their end. If corporates can perform due diligence on NGOs, the same is expected from the NGOs. Everything is available in the public domain, the CSR policy, the annual report, the CSR plan and all the amendments that have come into place for NGOs to take advantage of.