LAHORE: Representatives from nine robotics companies based in Karachi and Islamabad met with Balochistan’s Education Secretary Abdul Fateh Bangar in Quetta on Monday, who presented innovative ideas regarding use of robotics-based science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in Balochistan. The presenters explained the secretary, STEM studies is the latest technology being used in classrooms throughout the country, with labs being introduced to students from grade 1. Responding to a question, they said they will conduct workshops and competitions to build interest among teachers and students to use the technology. Secretary applauded the concept of a robotics education, he expressed his reservations about introducing it in schools in Balochistan. “Are we capable enough to adopt such technology at school-level within the province?” Bangar asked, adding that the heavy financial costs of introducing the concept in schools would be a concern. “We are still lacking basic facilities such as washrooms and water for classrooms in schools. This has been our priority,” Bangar pointed out. On the occasion, Additional Secretary Farooq Kakar said that initiative of taking education to a modern level needs a composed structure. He invited the companies to work with the government on computer stimulation that he said had shown positive results. The meeting between the representatives and the companies was organised by education NGO Alif Ailan, which has also been collaborating with federal government and the provincial governments of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Science camps have already been introduced in KP, with students and teachers from 20 districts currently participating in them.