CHANDIGARH: Panjab University, Chandigarh today hosted an international webinar on the theme ‘Towards Inclusive and Equitable STEM Education: The Status and Issues of the Students of Marginal Communities’. Noted Educator, Researcher and Advocate in University of Toronto, Canada Ms. Lilian Obazei delivered the talk at the programme organised by Department of Education in collaboration with Dean International Students.
The session was inaugurated by the chief guest, Prof. Yojna Rawat, Dean of University Instruction, Organisers Prof. Kewal Krishan, Dean International Students and Prof. Satvinderpal Kaur, Chairperson, Department of Education welcomed the students, scholars and faculty.
The session highlighted the plight of students from marginalised communities, especially in the form of exclusion from STEM Education in the case of Canada and worldwide. It emphasised the role of critical social theory and culturally responsive leadership to inform school leadership practice in creating more inclusive schooling environments for students marginalized by the educational system to participate in STEM by using qualitative research. The strong case is represented by replacing the banking system of education with critical reflexivity and conscientization.
The session was followed with inquisitive questions on Freire’s praxis and need for dialogue to empower the marginalized. The discussion ended with the possibility of collaboration with University of Toronto for future academic endeavours.