A journalism lecturer at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Dr. Kola Adesina, has proposed a new education framework known as MASHET, which he argues should replace the widely adopted STEAM model in modern education systems.
MASHET is an acronym for Mathematics, Arts, Science, Humanities, Engineering and Technology, and, according to Adesina, it offers a more balanced and comprehensive approach to learning compared to the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) model.
The STEAM framework was formally introduced in Nigeria as a federal initiative in 2023, with pilot implementation across Adamawa, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Rivers and Sokoto States.
In a post shared on his LinkedIn page, Adesina said the proposed MASHET framework was designed to address what he described as structural gaps in the STEAM model, which has been in use globally for about two decades.
“For 20 years we’ve pushed STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths. STEAM got us far, but it has three blind spots,” he said.
He explained that Mathematics is often incorrectly positioned at the end of the acronym, despite serving as the foundational language for all other disciplines.
Adesina also argued that STEAM merges Science and Technology in a way that obscures their distinct roles, noting that scientific research and technological application are fundamentally different processes.
He further criticised the exclusion of the Humanities from the STEAM framework, stating that the “Arts” component is largely limited to creative and design-related fields, leaving out critical disciplines such as history, philosophy, ethics and journalism.
According to him, these gaps informed the creation of MASHET, which gives equal recognition to all six disciplines.
“So I coined MASHET: Mathematics, Arts, Science, Humanities, Engineering, Technology,” he wrote.
Explaining the structure of the model, the lecturer said Mathematics is placed first because it underpins all other fields of study and provides a universal language for learning and innovation.
He stressed that the inclusion of Humanities is deliberate, as modern education must prioritise critical thinking, ethical reasoning, artificial intelligence ethics and storytelling as essential competencies rather than optional skills.
“The Humanities are explicit because AI ethics, storytelling, critical thinking aren’t extras. They’re core,” he wrote.
Adesina further maintained that Science and Technology should be treated as separate disciplines, with science focused on knowledge generation and technology on practical application.
He added that unlike STEAM, which he described as “STEM plus one add-on,” the MASHET framework ensures equal importance is given to all six components, creating a more holistic education model.
“STEAM taught us how to build,” he said. “MASHET teaches us what to build, and why it matters to humans.”
The lecturer also noted that his background in journalism influenced the framework’s emphasis on ethics, context and human-centred innovation, stressing that technological advancement without moral grounding could be harmful.
“Journalism taught me that facts without context are noise. Tech without ethics is dangerous,” he added.
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