OBSTACLES FACED BY PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN IMPLEMENTING STEM EDUCATION: A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Sidra Yoonus  Bhatti; Dr.  Mehboob Ul Hassan

doi:10.46662/jass.v11i1.441

Sidra Yoonus Bhatti M. Phil Scholar in Education, Department of Education, The University of Lahore, Punjab-Pakistan
Dr. Mehboob Ul Hassan Assistant Professor Department of Education, The University of Lahore, Punjab-Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46662/jass.v11i1.441

Keywords: STEM education, Obstacles, Public Sector, Primary Level

Abstract

Societies are empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the 21st century and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. The need for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; STEM education is a multifaceted concept that plays an important role in preparing students in a complex and technology-driven world. Despite numerous benefits, certain obstacles exist that impede its effective implementation and widespread adaptation. The current qualitative research was structured to explore the obstacles faced by teachers in implementing STEM education in Kasur, Punjab-Pakistan. The authors conducted an interview protocol from randomly selected 20 teachers working in public sector schools. The results of the thematic analysis confirm that the struggle to implement STEM education schools’ councils’ poor involvement, low availability of computers and internet, lack of teachers’ training, poor application of innovative teaching methods, deficiency of science teachers, non-availability of STEM curriculum, administration constraints, availability of funds and laboratories were the main hurdles faced by teachers in implementing STEM education. It is recommended based on the findings that the School Education Department; SED hires science teachers, establishes laboratories, conducts teachers’ training, and invests a handsome amount to fulfill the deficiency of STEM hurdles, a cause for concern.