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/ No. 2 - February 2010 / |
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Dear Friends of the Aga Khan Academies:
As a new and exciting year starts for the Aga Khan Academies, I would
like to take this opportunity to wish you, your families and colleagues
a very happy and successful 2010.
Much was accomplished last year both on a network level and at AKA,
Mombasa. We have gone from a single operating entity in Mombasa, Kenya
to three, with our Professional Development Centres in Maputo,
Mozambique and Hyderabad, India. The tender for the main construction
for Hyderabad was awarded to one of the leading contractors in India.
Architectural design work by a global architectural firm was launched
for the Academies in Maputo and Dar-es-Salaam. Policies and practices
implemented in Mombasa were developed with the network in mind.
Identification and selection of talented students from a broad spectrum
of backgrounds, welcoming the first students from outside Mombasa living
with faculty in the new residences, the start of instruction in both
Kiswahili and English and the formalisation of professional development
outreach to government and other community schools were all implemented
last year for the first time and are being refined for adaptation for
Hyderabad, our next Academy.
We are proud of the accomplishments of our students, teachers, and
administrators such as those highlighted in this newsletter. Another
illustration is AKA, Mombasa becoming the first school in Kenya to offer
all three IB programmes. As we work towards the roll out of the Aga Khan
Academies network we remain guided by a fundamental commitment to
quality. As His Highness stated at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony
of the Aga Khan Academy in Kampala: "The final point I would emphasize
today, above all else, is our uncompromising commitment to Quality-- in
every aspect of the Academy experience. Our hallmark will be quality
students, quality instructors, quality facilities - an unwavering
devotion to world-class standards. Let the day be long past when some
could excuse mediocrity by saying that it was 'good enough for Africa'."
Thank you for your continued interest and support.
Very truly yours,
Salim A.L. Bhatia
Director of Academies |
ARTICLES
Advancing Through Curriculum: Cultivating a Spirit of Pluralism
"The spirit of pluralism, at its base, is a response to the realities of diversity – a way of reconciling difference on the one hand with cooperation and common purpose on the other. It is an attitude, a way of thinking, which regards our differences not as threats but as gifts - as occasions for learning, stretching, growing - and at the same time, as occasions for appreciating anew the beauties of one’s own identity."
His Highness the Age Khan, Ottawa, 6 December 2008
Pluralism is a critically important concept and value of the Aga Khan Academies and forms one of the AKA-specific curricular strands that are being developed and woven through the IB framework of the Academies. There are different ways the Academies curriculum integrates the pluralism strand into teaching and learning. One is through the teaching strategies utilised and the overall learning experience. Examples include identifying resources from various cultural sources, using a diverse array of teaching methods to suit different learning styles, and ensuring learners have opportunities to interact and dialogue with each other.
An important aim of the pluralism strand is to develop learners’ personal growth through awareness of self and others on one hand, and the sense of belonging within communities on the other. It means strengthening one’s sense of identity and developing a deep understanding of the personal and social meaning of contributing to a rich and diverse society.
 Learn more
Becoming ‘Citizens of the World’ Through Community Service Activities
Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) is an important component of the IB curriculum where students take part in sustainable projects––often those of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies––that have real and lasting effects on their communities. Students gain critical insight into their own involvement as ‘citizens of the world’, enabling them to develop their own strengths and share their knowledge and sense of compassion with others. A few examples of the November 2009 CAS activities of Diploma Program (DP) students of AKA, Mombasa are described below.
De-worming in Bombolulu
Diploma students visited Mwakoeni School in Bombolulu to help organize a healthcare event targeted for local children. The students gave out medication to parents and taught them prevention strategies. The students also conducted needs assessment surveys and collected data that may be included in some students’ extended essays––a core element of the Diploma Program. This programme is now in its third year and it is planned to escalate the de-worming to rural areas outside Mombasa. A summer CAS program is being planned providing the opportunity for students from abroad to spend some time living in the residential facilities of the Academy and involving themselves in this and similar community service. Learn more.
AKA, Mombasa/AKF Reading Day
Diploma students worked alongside PYP students and organized a book drive for Ng’ombeni Primary School (an Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) East Africa Quality in Early Learning Project School) donating over 100 reading books for local children. The Academy students also spent the day reading to local children. Learn more.
Tree Planting Initiative
The Mazeras District outside Mombasa has been seriously deforested due to the harvesting of firewood for fuel, leaving the once rich farming area dry and barren. In collaboration with AKF’s Costal Rural Support Program (CSRP), Academy students and local villagers in Mazeras District planted a 1000 indigenous trees in the District. Local farmers and villagers worked side-by-side with Academy students to help strengthen a new man-made reservoir built with the support of CRSP. The intention is for the Academy to monitor this area as it develops and intervene where necessary to ensure that the work done so far becomes long-lasting. Learn more
Aga Khan Hospital Cancer Walk
Diploma students, faculty, families and friends walked together at the Bamburi Nature Trails in Mombasa to raise money to support cancer patients in financial need who are being treated at the Aga Khan Hospital. This is the first in a series of planned health-related support drives with the next one planned being for Spina Bifida cases, (March 2010). Learn more.
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SPOTLIGHT ON PLS Participant
Luisa Mulau: Never Stop Learning
In a country where the official unemployment rate is more than 20%, it is not surprising that many people turn to the public sector as a source of guaranteed income. And it was this economic reality that drove Luisa Mulau to apply for teacher training two years ago at the Instituto Formação de Professores da Matola.
Luisa Mulau is a primary school teacher in Maputo, Mozambique, and was invited to be part of the first cohort of teachers to undertake the Aga Khan Academies Professional Learning Series (PLS) Programme for Teachers of English. "Being part of the programme is a great opportunity for me to learn new ideas, improve my English and share my experiences with others." As a result of her participation, Luisa declares that her lesson planning has improved and she has changed her pedagogical approach. "I do not use so much Portuguese in the classroom anymore," she says. "I used to frequently translate for the students, but now I help them through mime, for example, and explaining things in different ways."
Read more
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SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT
Rachita Shah: A Groomed Champion
A product of the Aga Khan Academies, Rachita Shah, now an IB Diploma student is also a record-breaking Kenyan national swim champion, She finds the Academy teachers to be highly knowledgeable, helpful and vested in the future of their students. “Teachers here are from different parts of the world, and they bring a wealth of knowledge…They make sure that all students are progressing with the whole class and none are left behind. They also guide us in selecting our future careers.” Rachita has achieved a series of extraordinary accomplishments as a swimmer. In February 2009, she broke a 31 year old record for 200m backstroke at the National Open Age Group and Relay Swimming Championships. She went on to set two national records in October at the CASA Coast Age Group and Relay Swimming Championship. In November, she again set five new swimming records during the National Age-Group Open and Relays Championships. Following her graduation from the Academy, she plans to pursue a career in either Marine Biology or Sports Science.
Read more
Learn more about sports at AKAM
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NEWS AND EVENTS
AKA Expands Reach: Raising Awareness in the U.S.
Head of Academy, Peter McMurray, and former Head of the Academy, Sher Lakhani, visited the United States for ten days in November to raise awareness amongst educators and graduates considering teaching as a career. The two educators met with Ismaili community members in Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Atlanta. Presentations and question and answer sessions along with individual interviews for various opportunities were conducted during the visit. The interviewees were of the highest caliber and many expressed a sincere desire to contribute to the Academies vision in whatever way they could. Both the current Head and former Head were extremely impressed with the skills and the professionalism of the individuals. |
Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa Designated a Microsoft Mentor School
Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa has been designated a Mentor School by the Microsoft Corporation. The Academy, the only school on the African continent designated as a Mentor School, will be working closely in partnership with Microsoft to design and implement educational innovations which will have a positive impact both locally, nationally and throughout the continent. Head of Academy, Peter McMurray, and Director of Academic Planning and Development for the Aga Khan Academy in Mozambique, Lee Davis, were invited to a conference and ceremony in Salvador, Brazil, at which the twelve Mentor Schools worldwide were recognized.
Learn more |
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