National science teachers conference held in Dhaka

Daffodil International Professional Training Institute (DIPTI), in collaboration with the Bangladesh Freedom Foundation (BFF), on Friday organised the “National Secondary School Science Teachers Conference 2026” at the 71 Auditorium of Daffodil Plaza in Dhaka, bringing together 360 secondary-level science teachers from 195 schools across 64 districts in two parts.

The first part was attended by 175 teachers from 93 schools across 30 districts, while the second brought together 185 teachers from 102 schools across 41 districts, according to a press release.

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The theme was “Transforming Science Education: Inspiring Curiosity, Critical Thinking and Innovation”.

A total of 18 learning sessions and activities were held, covering areas such as inquiry-based teaching, low-cost hands-on science education, artificial intelligence-based assessment and lesson planning, science clubs and science fairs, women’s participation in STEM education, game-based science education, emotional intelligence, teacher facilitation skills, and content and language-integrated learning.

A key focus of the second part was shifting from memorisation-based science education towards inquiry, experimentation and practical application.

Teachers were introduced to approaches that encourage students not merely to receive information, but to ask questions, investigate, experiment, analyse, think critically and develop new ideas.

Through the sessions, teachers gained practical knowledge of inquiry-based and student-centred science teaching, low-cost experimentation, the use of artificial intelligence and digital learning resources, science club management, game-based learning, emotional intelligence and modern classroom management techniques.

Prof Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education; Mahfuz Anam, chairman of Bangladesh Freedom Foundation and editor and publisher of The Daily Star; Mohammad Nuruzzaman, group chief executive officer of Daffodil Group; and KM Hasan, executive director of DIPTI, spoke at the conference.

Experienced trainers and experts in education, training and science education also participated in different sessions.

One of the major objectives was to ensure that teachers apply the knowledge and skills gained through the conference in their schools and classrooms.

The 360 participating teachers will take initiatives to establish new science clubs and strengthen existing ones. They will also organise annual school-based science fairs to create greater opportunities for students to engage in project-based science learning.

These initiatives are expected to expand science-based co-curricular activities across schools, while experimentation and demonstration are also expected to increase, creating more opportunities for students to learn through inquiry and discussion, the release said.

The conference also emphasised the effective use of artificial intelligence and technology in education, strengthening school-based science clubs and science fairs, and building a continuous culture of professional knowledge and experience sharing among teachers.

Amena Hasan Ena, deputy director of Daffodil International University and convener of the conference, welcomed the participating teachers and guests and coordinated the conference.

Sazzadur Rahman Chowdhury, executive director of Bangladesh Freedom Foundation, also delivered a speech.

The organisers said the conference would continue to develop as a national platform for continuous professional development, knowledge sharing and collaboration among science teachers, schools, universities, scientists, education experts and relevant institutions.