The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) successfully concluded its weeklong celebration of the International Day of Mathematics (IDM) 2024 with a Grand Showcase inspired by this year's theme: "Playing with Math," on March 8, 2024. The IDM is a global celebration aimed at promoting the joy of learning mathematics. AKU-IED organized a series of events throughout the week, including workshops and activities for educators and students alike.
In her opening remarks, Dr Munira Amirali, Assistant Professor and IDM Event Chair at AKU-IED, emphasized that "Play-based learning facilitates children's cognitive development, promotes logical reasoning, and helps them link different mathematical concepts, reframing mathematics as an interesting subject in their minds."
The Grand Showcase featured creative math games designed for over 150 out-of-school children, mostly girls, who participated in educational activities to spark their interest in mathematics. Ms. Shireen Hussain, CEO and Co-Founder of Sindh Singhaar Initiative, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, underscoring the importance of learning mathematics in our daily lives.
The showcase was the culmination of a weeklong series of activities, including a workshop for 35 teachers, predominantly female, who were trained to create engaging math games. Special sessions by The Dawood Foundation's Magnifiscience Centre and a talk on numeracy skills of out-of-school children and Non-Formal Basic Education (NFBE) curriculum by Dr Abid Gill, Deputy Chief Advisor of the Advancing Quality Alternative Learning (AQAL) Project, Japan International Cooperation Agency, were also part of the programme.
As the event also marked International Women's Day, it showcased engaging math games created by female educators from across Karachi, supervised by an all-woman workshop planning team from AKU-IED.
"The dedication of AKU-IED and its partners in promoting the joy of learning mathematics is commendable. By working together to create engaging educational experiences, we are nurturing a generation of students who will excel in mathematics," said AKU President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin. The event was organized in partnership with Right to Play, Directorate of Non-formal Education, Sindh Singhaar Initiative, The Dawood Foundation's Magnifiscience Centre, Durbeen, and others.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Farid Panjwani, Professor and Dean of AKU-IED, reflected that "This celebration underscores our commitment to innovative and effective teaching practices. By engaging educators and students in playful math activities, we aim to cultivate a love for mathematics and inspire lifelong learning."
