As AKA Maputo reopened for in-person learning during COVID-19, numerous safety guidelines have been put in place to maintain social distancing, while ensuring the continued delivery of high quality education.
Teaching During COVID-19
Students have continued to learn and interact despite the disruption caused by Covid-19. Some have practised social distancing on the Maputo campus, while others continue to learn through videoconferencing with their teachers and classmates, and other specially devised activities from home.
Supporting Students to Learn and Thrive
The Academies have responded quickly, creating supported routines tailored to students’ needs. New systems allow the students to engage with specially restructured lessons, organise online events and even undertake virtual internships.
The Academies take a blended approach to distance learning, combining real-time interaction with teachers and time for individual study. Students have on- and off-screen tasks, with plenty of time for enrichment activities, play and rest. Advisors, counsellors and home room teachers monitor students’ wellbeing and provide support and guidance. And the school community continues throughout the holidays, with activities to build critical and creative thinking skills.
Community Spirit During the Pandemic
Meanwhile the students are seizing new opportunities to improve the world around them.
Nakshatra Reddy volunteered for an organisation serving food to migrant farmers. [ Read more ]
Madina Khudobakshova held a virtual art exhibition to raise awareness about environmental conservation. [ Read more ]
Alyssa Jamal produced an affordable wrist splint for children with cerebral palsy, using local materials to make them accessible to marginalised communities. [ Read more ]
Armaan Sorathiya used the money he earned from his part time job during the lockdown to provide food, masks, sanitisers and dry rations to a shelter for people with disabilities. [ Read more ]
Stories
A view from the Head of Academy
Alison Hampshire, Head of Academy at AKA Mombasa
"Teachers have undertaken a lot of professional training on teaching in a virtual environment and have collaborated and shared effective practices. School life at a distance is as rigorous and rich as life on campus - with students undertaking community projects and other personal projects as well as participating in online activities such as yoga, debating and chess tournaments.A major focus for all teachers and students at this time of online learning has been wellbeing. Every student has a daily check in with a member of staff and has many formal and informal opportunities to reach out to faculty if they need individual support and help. The Heads of Student Support and Wellbeing and the pastoral team follow up daily with students who are experiencing difficulties. Community building has continued online with a virtual graduation ceremony and regular assemblies.
We have actively supported parents with both the technology and with strategies they can use to support their child/ren at home. We have held virtual parent meetings, parent teacher conferences, information sessions and workshops.
I am so proud of our community; it has been very heartwarming to see students, parents and staff find ways to support each other. Even though we have been apart physically we have stayed close emotionally."
Alison Hampshire, Head of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Distance Learning in Junior School
Sreelatha Kumar, JS Principal, AKA Hyderabad
"When the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad transitioned to distance learning in April 2020 in the wake of the pandemic lockdown, we were fortunate to have had advance technology training from Coach Juleen Keevy.
Our junior school started with just three lessons per day, and a brief check-in every afternoon for students needing support. Alongside our focus on reading, writing and mathematics, we introduced social emotional learning. Regular questionnaires and surveys helped us to modify our schedule and strategies, quickly adapting the curriculum to include more collaboration and play.
After the summer, we worked on developing strong teacher-parent-student bonds. We conduct ongoing information sessions and parent-teacher meetings virtually and these have helped parents to understand and confidently participate in their children’s learning.
We have celebrated events including Teachers’ Day, World Peace Day and Book Day together. Students participated in the Global Climate Action Project, leading to service-orientated actions and collaborative learning with schools from different parts of the world."
Sreelatha Kumar, Junior School Principal, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
Staying Connected at a Distance
Alison Hampshire, Head of Academy at AKA Mombasa
"Teachers have undertaken a lot of professional training on teaching in a virtual environment and have collaborated and shared effective practices. School life at a distance is as rigorous and rich as life on campus - with students undertaking community projects and other personal projects as well as participating in online activities such as yoga, debating and chess tournaments.
A major focus for all teachers and students at this time of online learning has been wellbeing. Every student has a daily check in with a member of staff and has many formal and informal opportunities to reach out to faculty if they need individual support and help. The Heads of Student Support and Wellbeing and the pastoral team follow up daily with students who are experiencing difficulties. Community building has continued online with a virtual graduation ceremony and regular assemblies.
We have actively supported parents with both the technology and with strategies they can use to support their child/ren at home. We have held virtual parent meetings, parent teacher conferences, information sessions and workshops.
I am so proud of our community; it has been very heartwarming to see students, parents and staff find ways to support each other. Even though we have been apart physically we have stayed close emotionally."
Alison Hampshire, Head of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
At AKA Hyderabad, Sujana Veeramachaneni holds more than her official titles of biology teacher and Assistant Coordinator for the Diploma Programme, science teacher for the Middle Years Programme, and dorm parent. Sujana also ensures her students see her as a friend, mentor and pillar of support: “They should always feel that I’m there for them, no matter the situation, or condition or time of day. You have to tailor yourself to the needs of the students... I change myself, as per their needs.”
When the first Aga Khan Academy opened, it became “a dream” for Yasmin Khan to work at the Academies. Yasmin joined the Academy in October 2016 through the partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Education and has been instilling her legacy of creativity, engagement, and determination ever since.
At the Aga Khan Academy Maputo, Hawa fosters her dedication to and passion for inclusive education. She explains, "We ensure a climate of pluralism on campus through incorporating and promoting students’ backgrounds and interests, and through celebrating differences."
"I believe that my portfolio is a driving force that allows my students to have a pluralistic outlook and provides them opportunities in action to develop and ingrain those values that are embedded in our institutional vision.”
Imran Bandeali, Head of Marketing and Admissions at the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad talks about his experience at the Jubilee Games held between 22nd–29th July in Dubai.
Aspiring astrophysicist Indira Bulhan talks about how, with the help of the Academy, she was able to overcome gender stereotypes and others' negative attitudes to win a scholarship to the University of Victoria in Canada.
