Empowering MSS Teachers Through Zero-Budget STEM Education

To strengthen activity-based learning and make science and mathematics more engaging for children, Mukti Support School (MSS) recently organized two cluster-level teacher training programmes on Zero-Budget STEM Education. The sessions were conducted on 17 May 2026 at Raidighi for the Mathurapur II cluster and on 24 May 2026 at Krishnachandrapur for the Mathurapur I cluster.

The initiative brought together teachers from 19 MSS centres, creating a valuable platform for learning, sharing experiences, and exploring innovative classroom practices. A total of 95 teachers participated in the training programme.

The sessions focused on introducing teachers to practical STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities that can be conducted using simple, low-cost, and locally available materials. Through demonstrations, group exercises, and hands-on activities, teachers experienced how complex concepts can be taught in a fun, interactive, and child-friendly manner without requiring expensive equipment or resources.

To assess the effectiveness of the training, participating teachers completed Bengali baseline and endline assessment questionnaires before and after the sessions. A comparative analysis of the responses showed a significant improvement in participants’ understanding of STEM-based activity learning and its relevance in everyday classroom teaching.

One of the key highlights of the training was the enthusiastic participation of teachers, who actively engaged in discussions and practical exercises. Many shared their experiences from the classroom and expressed interest in adopting more experiential and participatory teaching methods that encourage curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving among students.

To further support implementation at the school level, three Bengali digital handbooks on activity-based STEM learning were developed and shared with participating MSS centres. The handbooks have been designed for three different learner groups—Classes V–VI, Classes VII–VIII, and Classes IX–X—providing teachers with ready-to-use activities and practical teaching ideas that can be integrated into regular classroom lessons.

By promoting zero-budget STEM education, Mukti aims to make learning more accessible, engaging, and meaningful for children studying in rural areas. The initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to strengthening the quality of education through innovative teaching practices, teacher capacity building, and joyful learning experiences that inspire young minds to explore, question, and discover.