UZMA ALEEM
National Museum of Science and Technology in Lahore faces cut in budget, decline in number of visitors, reports UZMA ALEEM
titleAs museums showcase the history and evolution of a country, all aspects of human living in that particular society, including its diversity, lineage and race, etc. Similarly science museums reflect the importance of science and technology to a particular country”s past while showcasing the creative achievements, technical development, innovation, application of a nation. Thus science museum is a statement of a country”s progress and progression.
However, little has been done to encourage science efforts out of school in Pakistan through science museums. Science and technology awareness through various means of non formal education “ science exhibitions and tech oriented models display in science and tech museums “ can help youth to understand the importance of nurturing the skills necessary for a scientifically literate society. Visitors of science museums become able to engage in intelligent discussions about science and technology, turn into more employable due to their knowledge of science and their ability to use technology, and can understand science for enjoyment and personal gain. But here in Pakistan no importance is given to develop science and technology museums. Though we have some educational science related museums and most important of them is National Museum of Science and Technology Lahore, which has never been the priority of government. As federal government has recently cut off the budget of National Museum of science and Technology. While talking to SPlus Sajid Anwar Malik, Director of Museum of Science and Technology, said that during the year 2009- 2010 budget of museum was Rs. 15.69 million whereas for the year 2010-2011 it had been reduced to Rs. 13 million so museum had a cut back of Rs. 3 million in its budget.
“National Museum of science and technology comes under the Federal Ministry of Education. Despite the demands for the raise in the annual budget of National museum of Science and technology federal government did not take any notice of these demands. Rather federal government has reduced the budget of National Museum of Science and Technology. Now this reduction in our annual budget would prove a great impediment for smooth running of museum”s affairs”, he explained.
“We have developed a new gallery (4th gallery) in National Science Museum with the development fund of Museum. This new gallery is indeed a new and wonderful addition in national museum of science as it has six wonderful sections “ animal world, agriculture, material sciences, Earth Sciences, Bio Technology and Space Sciences “ which explain different notions and phenomenon regarding science while connecting them to our daily life. But after the months of its completion, we could not start its operation as we are unable to open these exhibits for students and visitors because of lack of operational funds from federal government”.
Three galleries of National Museum of Science and technology, Lahore are operational while the opening of forth gallery depends on the release of funds by government and without these funds this new gallery can not be put on operations.
Such delays are not new in the field of science and technology in Pakistan and particularly for the innovative and unique projects of National Museum of Science and Technology, Lahore. Since its establishment delays in release of funds and insufficient grants for non formal science education through science museum has been a shameful tradition.
The National Museum of Science and Technology, Lahore was notified to be established by the Federal Ministry of Education in 1965 and it opened to public in 1976. Phase I, which spanned over a period of thirty years (1965-1995), could give only one gallery besides its building and basic infrastructure. Along the government negligence, lack of funds and lack of awareness were the major impediments for its development. During phase II (1996-2000) along the establishment of gallery II important equipment including computers and generators were installed. Then phase III (2000-2005) gave 3rd gallery to its visitors, though during phase IV (2006-2009) 4th gallery of science museum emerged but could not be opened for masses yet. Moreover the scheme for the development phase V, which was expected to be started in 2009, could not be initiated because of financial constraints and absence of development funds for science museum.
“ Financial constraints act not only as development impediment rather it diminishes the main purpose of the museum, which is to act as a centre for the promotion of science through non formal means, i.e. to promote the interest in knowledge of science and its contribution in people”s life and education. In view of this specific purpose the museum is not at all depository of scientific inventions; it rather develops, acquires and displays working educational models”, director of Museum was of the view.
While talking about the purpose of the educational and science models exhibited at Science museum, Saadia, admin officer of Museum, told the models depicted the basic principles of science and technology. “Moreover they are close to the requirements of students of science in particular and the rest in general, they are simple to comprehend and produce qualitative rather than quantitative results, they are visitors operated so as to attract the visitors” practical participation in understanding the principle behind each scientific display,” she explained.
Now it is pertinent to not that a meagre entry fee of Rs 3 and Rs. 5 is not enough to run the matters of science museum and lack of finances leads to lack of fun based education through museum exhibits which eventually reduces the number of visitors. No significant development in terms of opening of galleries was observed so number of visitors had shrunk to its half last year as during 2008, a total number of visitors who visited National Museum of Science and technology was 103093 whereas during 2009 it declined to 57613.
Number of visitors to National museum of Science and technology during 2000-2009.
year No. of Visitors
2000 115203
2001 133248
2002 141354
2003 121250
2004 109897
2005 89867
2006 89822
2007 103540
2008 103093
2009 57613
If national museum of science and technology”s visitors” ratio is compared it would be appeared that it is on decline and last year lowest amount number of visitors visited this museum during this decade.
Sajid Anwar Malik, director of the Museum, told the reason of decline in visitors” number was not lack of facilities rather the month of Ramazan was overlapping with their visitors” peak season. “Visitors take keen interest in Science and tech models” exhibits of three of the working galleries, like gallery 1 attracts with its following sections: behavioural psychology, electricity & magnetism, industrial, (animated flow charts), engines and machines, light, mathematics, fluid mechanics, meteorology and sound. Then gallery 2 attracts students and visitors with the interesting sections of biology, electronics & communications satellites & rocket section natural history section (eco-systems of Pakistan) computers, modes of transport, gems and precious stones. Moreover gallery 3 also asserts attention of museum”s visitors through the amazing sections health, molecular biology, energy, environment and transport technology,” he elucidated.
While explaining about the exhibits he told several exhibits were developed in museum”s workshops. Some of the others were developed as a result of feed back from the visitors. “In certain cases elementary exhibits have also been install to fill the gap and also to make the applied aspect of a principle more lucid and clear. Each exhibit has been provided with a descriptive label which contains all the essential information about that exhibit as well as provides extra information which otherwise cannot be shown through that exhibit. The descriptive labels and the exhibits thus supplement and complement each other in as many respects as possible. Whereas the exhibits were initially imported from abroad. Those which did not appear to conform to our requirements or were not suited to the level of comprehension of our visitors, were suitably modified,” he said.
Furkhanda Rashid, a teacher of Beaconhouse schools system, said that no doubt presence of science museum in provincial capital was significant but no notable addition in science museum proved dwindling feature for this museum which has shrunk number of visitors from more than 100,000 to almost 50,000 per annum. “This drastic decline in visitors is quite alarming as purpose of the science museums is to encourage understanding of science and technology among youth, while addressing a fun based non formal perspective. When youth would not be visiting this place they would lose their interest in science and tech,” she was of the view.
The 21st century can be reshaped by new and emerging technologies and by companies that invest in them. This means government must create the conditions for all Pakistanis to better understand the importance of science and technology in Pakistan”s heritage, and to be inspired and equipped to innovate in the future.
This is why it is vital to bring the stories of achievement and excellence in science and technology from all regions of our nation into science museum and into communities across Pakistan through non formal education of museums.
National Museum of Science and Technology in Lahore faces cut in budget, decline in number of visitors, reports UZMA ALEEM
titleAs museums showcase the history and evolution of a country, all aspects of human living in that particular society, including its diversity, lineage and race, etc. Similarly science museums reflect the importance of science and technology to a particular country”s past while showcasing the creative achievements, technical development, innovation, application of a nation. Thus science museum is a statement of a country”s progress and progression.
However, little has been done to encourage science efforts out of school in Pakistan through science museums. Science and technology awareness through various means of non formal education “ science exhibitions and tech oriented models display in science and tech museums “ can help youth to understand the importance of nurturing the skills necessary for a scientifically literate society. Visitors of science museums become able to engage in intelligent discussions about science and technology, turn into more employable due to their knowledge of science and their ability to use technology, and can understand science for enjoyment and personal gain. But here in Pakistan no importance is given to develop science and technology museums. Though we have some educational science related museums and most important of them is National Museum of Science and Technology Lahore, which has never been the priority of government. As federal government has recently cut off the budget of National Museum of science and Technology. While talking to SPlus Sajid Anwar Malik, Director of Museum of Science and Technology, said that during the year 2009- 2010 budget of museum was Rs. 15.69 million whereas for the year 2010-2011 it had been reduced to Rs. 13 million so museum had a cut back of Rs. 3 million in its budget.
“National Museum of science and technology comes under the Federal Ministry of Education. Despite the demands for the raise in the annual budget of National museum of Science and technology federal government did not take any notice of these demands. Rather federal government has reduced the budget of National Museum of Science and Technology. Now this reduction in our annual budget would prove a great impediment for smooth running of museum”s affairs”, he explained.
“We have developed a new gallery (4th gallery) in National Science Museum with the development fund of Museum. This new gallery is indeed a new and wonderful addition in national museum of science as it has six wonderful sections “ animal world, agriculture, material sciences, Earth Sciences, Bio Technology and Space Sciences “ which explain different notions and phenomenon regarding science while connecting them to our daily life. But after the months of its completion, we could not start its operation as we are unable to open these exhibits for students and visitors because of lack of operational funds from federal government”.
Three galleries of National Museum of Science and technology, Lahore are operational while the opening of forth gallery depends on the release of funds by government and without these funds this new gallery can not be put on operations.
Such delays are not new in the field of science and technology in Pakistan and particularly for the innovative and unique projects of National Museum of Science and Technology, Lahore. Since its establishment delays in release of funds and insufficient grants for non formal science education through science museum has been a shameful tradition.
The National Museum of Science and Technology, Lahore was notified to be established by the Federal Ministry of Education in 1965 and it opened to public in 1976. Phase I, which spanned over a period of thirty years (1965-1995), could give only one gallery besides its building and basic infrastructure. Along the government negligence, lack of funds and lack of awareness were the major impediments for its development. During phase II (1996-2000) along the establishment of gallery II important equipment including computers and generators were installed. Then phase III (2000-2005) gave 3rd gallery to its visitors, though during phase IV (2006-2009) 4th gallery of science museum emerged but could not be opened for masses yet. Moreover the scheme for the development phase V, which was expected to be started in 2009, could not be initiated because of financial constraints and absence of development funds for science museum.
“ Financial constraints act not only as development impediment rather it diminishes the main purpose of the museum, which is to act as a centre for the promotion of science through non formal means, i.e. to promote the interest in knowledge of science and its contribution in people”s life and education. In view of this specific purpose the museum is not at all depository of scientific inventions; it rather develops, acquires and displays working educational models”, director of Museum was of the view.
While talking about the purpose of the educational and science models exhibited at Science museum, Saadia, admin officer of Museum, told the models depicted the basic principles of science and technology. “Moreover they are close to the requirements of students of science in particular and the rest in general, they are simple to comprehend and produce qualitative rather than quantitative results, they are visitors operated so as to attract the visitors” practical participation in understanding the principle behind each scientific display,” she explained.
Now it is pertinent to not that a meagre entry fee of Rs 3 and Rs. 5 is not enough to run the matters of science museum and lack of finances leads to lack of fun based education through museum exhibits which eventually reduces the number of visitors. No significant development in terms of opening of galleries was observed so number of visitors had shrunk to its half last year as during 2008, a total number of visitors who visited National Museum of Science and technology was 103093 whereas during 2009 it declined to 57613.
Number of visitors to National museum of Science and technology during 2000-2009.
year No. of Visitors
2000 115203
2001 133248
2002 141354
2003 121250
2004 109897
2005 89867
2006 89822
2007 103540
2008 103093
2009 57613
If national museum of science and technology”s visitors” ratio is compared it would be appeared that it is on decline and last year lowest amount number of visitors visited this museum during this decade.
Sajid Anwar Malik, director of the Museum, told the reason of decline in visitors” number was not lack of facilities rather the month of Ramazan was overlapping with their visitors” peak season. “Visitors take keen interest in Science and tech models” exhibits of three of the working galleries, like gallery 1 attracts with its following sections: behavioural psychology, electricity & magnetism, industrial, (animated flow charts), engines and machines, light, mathematics, fluid mechanics, meteorology and sound. Then gallery 2 attracts students and visitors with the interesting sections of biology, electronics & communications satellites & rocket section natural history section (eco-systems of Pakistan) computers, modes of transport, gems and precious stones. Moreover gallery 3 also asserts attention of museum”s visitors through the amazing sections health, molecular biology, energy, environment and transport technology,” he elucidated.
While explaining about the exhibits he told several exhibits were developed in museum”s workshops. Some of the others were developed as a result of feed back from the visitors. “In certain cases elementary exhibits have also been install to fill the gap and also to make the applied aspect of a principle more lucid and clear. Each exhibit has been provided with a descriptive label which contains all the essential information about that exhibit as well as provides extra information which otherwise cannot be shown through that exhibit. The descriptive labels and the exhibits thus supplement and complement each other in as many respects as possible. Whereas the exhibits were initially imported from abroad. Those which did not appear to conform to our requirements or were not suited to the level of comprehension of our visitors, were suitably modified,” he said.
Furkhanda Rashid, a teacher of Beaconhouse schools system, said that no doubt presence of science museum in provincial capital was significant but no notable addition in science museum proved dwindling feature for this museum which has shrunk number of visitors from more than 100,000 to almost 50,000 per annum. “This drastic decline in visitors is quite alarming as purpose of the science museums is to encourage understanding of science and technology among youth, while addressing a fun based non formal perspective. When youth would not be visiting this place they would lose their interest in science and tech,” she was of the view.
The 21st century can be reshaped by new and emerging technologies and by companies that invest in them. This means government must create the conditions for all Pakistanis to better understand the importance of science and technology in Pakistan”s heritage, and to be inspired and equipped to innovate in the future.
This is why it is vital to bring the stories of achievement and excellence in science and technology from all regions of our nation into science museum and into communities across Pakistan through non formal education of museums.
No comments:
Post a Comment