Skip to content
Gr 4K Naisha Kavkuntla
Pluralistic community
Students and staff across the Aga Khan Academies come from various unique geographic locations and backgrounds.
FIND OUT MORE

Learning During COVID-19

Our student community has continued to learn together during the pandemic, and the Aga Khan Academy has focused its energies on creating education and support systems that work for each age group.

Many Locations – One Community

Our teachers combine real-time student interaction with time for individual study. We have adjusted the school day to give students off-screen tasks, enrichment activities, play and rest. Students have access to academic advisors and counsellors, for support and guidance, while meeting regularly with their home room teachers and fellow students. Support continues through the holidays. 

Students and teachers across the Academy have worked hard to ensure that learning has not been affected as a result of distance learning. Many events that would have happened during the course of the school year have continued unaffected. MYP students showcased their Personal Projects virtually through pre-recorded videos outlining their work. The PYP Exhibition was a hugely successful event, held online and widely attended by schools around India. The DP Art Exhibition, one of the highlights of the school year, was showcased online. 

“As a community of teachers we have supported each other through resources, ideas and above all we’ve had our leaders stressing repeatedly on mental and emotional well-being. It’s been a year where I’ve had to do quite a bit of unlearning and a lot of learning about delivering effectively in classrooms through online portals. As the year draws to a close I’m left with the surreal experience of not having met my students face to face but I’m also left with gratitude at having formed deep bonds with them and my colleagues."
Chandreyee Das Gupta, English teacher

Stories

Soha Jiwani
Soha Jiwani from the Class of 2022
"As someone who visited the academy for 175 days a year since the age of 10, not attending school in-person was like being banned from my second home. Nonetheless, if there was anything the school and IB taught, it was to adapt and evolve. Using zoom for the first time and not sitting in an actual classroom or examination hall was all very surreal. When I initially transitioned into DP virtually, I felt overwhelmed choosing my subjects, interacting with completely new teachers, figuring out the differences between the MYP and DP framework, and having limited human interaction. Disconnecting from school, stress, disheartening news all around and technology seemed impossible. It took me a stern telling off by my conscience, that this is going to be my life for a while, that I finally started adjusting to distance learning and began seeing it in a positive light. Virtual school gave me independence and responsibility like I never had before. I was in charge of my own schedule, extracurriculars and workload; no one would be policing me around. I really got to take charge and feel like a DP student in my own way, and I am affirmative that it would have turned out very different and not in a positive manner if I was thrust into DP without distance learning. I feel extremely privileged to be continuing my education in such devastating times, and due credit for that goes to the support system the Academy has created, and taking every day, one at a time."Soha Jiwani, Diploma Programme 2 student, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad 

Afeera Maryam, Humanities Teacher Afeera Maryam, Humanities Teacher
"In 2020, we had just begin the March break and Grade 6K were involved in a Plant Exchange Project as a Homework assignment. The idea was to teach them accountability and challenge them to care for plants. I was hoping to see them back in school to share some stories on taking care of the assigned plants.

When COVID 19 hit us, I was still getting used to the idea of Zoom links, Google Drives, Google Docs, Flipgrid and Nearpod, and was not able to fully comprehend that we will not meet as a school community for a long time.

The school supported us and we would attend weekly sessions on integrating technology in our online classrooms. It appeared that we had a solution at hand.

One year down the line, I can say that I have been able to integrate technology to quite an extent. It has made me a better teacher. Yes, there are tough days. Online fatigue is real and students find it exhausting to be a part of online classes. However, the best way to deal with it is to ask for their constant feedback. What would they want the teacher to try? How should I organise my plans? Am I being too lecture-oriented? Am I being inclusive? What Apps should I try? How do they want to celebrate their work?

18 months later, I look at my computer screen and share the Lesson Plans with my colleagues within the department. We have a Humanities department meeting with our colleagues in Mombasa, and I am excited to meet them online and make some exciting decisions, when it comes to the Curriculum. It is lovely to see Zviko, Mary, Natasha, Alex, and George on the other side of the world, sharing their stories of resilience.

 It is true that nothing can ever replace the experience of a real classroom. However, I can attest that having ICT on our side as educators will open more opportunities. Meanwhile, I keep asking my Grade 7s if they have been taking care of my plants. They are apparently blooming."

Afeera Maryam, Humanities teacher, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad

Spotlights
Hyd 20180611 Harshita Devavarapu

Harshita Devavarapu: A mission to make a difference

Harshita, a grade 9 student at the Academy in Hyderabad, is determined and full of optimism. She shares, “I will always dedicate a part of my time to help the women who so selflessly pave the way for the development of our nation. My learning at the Academy has really improved my research skills and my communication skills and has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams of becoming a lawyer.”
[ Read more ]
HYD_20180628_Rudra_2

Rudra Potluri – dreaming up the future

“When I was learning robotics as part of the enrichment club I never imagined that I would become the captain for a robotics team,” says DP1 student, Rudra Potluri. Now approaching his 6th year at the Academy, Rudra reflects on the opportunities he’s had in his academic career so far and the ways in which he has grown.
[ Read more ]
HYD_20180629_Tvisha_2

Tvisha Devavarapu – Class of 2018 top scorer

“The Academy has a very unique, highly diverse and multicultural environment,” says 2018 graduate,Tvisha Devavarapu. Set to pursue a career in biology and research, read about this house captain's experience studying and playing at the Academy.
[ Read more ]
View all