STEM Education: A Focus on India
Education is one of the most important assets to any person on Earth. Being educated surpasses any physical attribute and is a quality that will never run out — there are an infinite amount of ways to broaden your mind!
As it carries such importance, it is crucial that any form of education is implemented to those at younger ages. One form of education that has gained popularity with children in recent years is STEM education through education technology (Edtech), which covers the topics of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These are exciting topics for children as they present the technology that is in the toys and gadgets they are fascinated with. The root of a STEM career is trickling down to younger ones, enabling the next critical thinkers, innovators and problem solvers to be made.
The interest in STEM education and the demand for STEM careers continues to grow as the future depends on digital evolution; it is predicted that over 75% of jobs in the next decade will require some form of math and science skill. As technology evolves, so does its education and the learning methods of its students. The common exam-based model is now becoming increasingly outdated and uninteresting as children are being introduced to Edtech, design and creative thinking.
India is the second most populated country in the world; full of culture and diversity it undoubtedly houses a lot of the next generation designers that the world needs. Data from The Economic Times also showed that STEM jobs in India increased by 44% from 2016–2019, but the implementation of STEM education and Edtech are things that need improving.
STEM Learning is in initiative in India conceptualised to empower children in rural areas with the fundamentals of STEM. With the want to make a significant difference to young people’s lives regardless of class and social background, their aim of providing high quality education to the most deserving is admirable. So far, STEM Learning has helped nearly 2000 schools, trained 8000 teachers and has provided over a million children with more access to better education.
Despite India having one of the highest numbers of STEM graduates worldwide, there are challenges that remain with applying STEM education throughout the nation.
One challenge is socio-economics. With nearly a quarter of India’s population living below the poverty line, this factor affects access to education and the system as a whole. Education is provided for free until aged 14 but this age is arguably where one’s interests in their future career starts to solidify, meaning following their dreams comes to a halt. Educational institutions in poorer areas also struggle with keeping up to date with technological and scientific innovations, let alone providing them for students.
Another is the infrastructure and people. Building places for children to learn and creating a curriculum that guides and supports them is proving difficult. Schools need money for the most basic parts of Edtech such as high quality computers and design spaces, which introduces the challenge of funding. Investing in this ecosystem and promoting the positive results of STEM education that some look down on are necessary in overcoming limitations.
Along with finding the best candidates for design-related careers in four countries, education technology is something Digital Influx are passionate about. We are currently in the midst of creating a programme that will be rolled out in primary schools which aims to teach the principles of UX design to young creatives and connect children globally. Stay tuned for more information!
Author: Sophie Hall
