School’s holistic teaching and learning approach is to create a learning environment that is free of anxiety and pressure. The School believes in activity-based learning that supports the joy of inquiry and avoids traditional rote learning. At the primary level, the School teaches through play, fun and interesting activities so that children enjoy school.

Older students slowly ease into the sequential progress of the learning experience. Various strategies and activities are used to facilitate learning inside and outside the classroom, including:

• Group Work
• Cooperative learning
• Pair share activities
• Activity based lessons
• Audio/video sessions
• More class assignments less home assignments
• Friendly interaction among students, teachers and parents
• Research, project work, field trips
• Music, sports
• Integrated learning through I.T.
• Development of social skills.

The students are encouraged to work in teams so that they never feel alone. They are required to participate in various activities inside and outside the school. This teamwork, participation, recognition and appreciation process builds the child’s confidence and responsibility.

Students are encouraged to contribute to discussions and pose questions to teachers. The aim of this approach is to allow students to become vibrant, confident and amicable adults.

Progressive Discipline
From pre-primary to higher secondary, students are counseled and monitored to guide and motivate good behaviour. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and the consequences. Parents are also encouraged to get involved in the social and emotional development of their children. Suspension or expulsion is exercised as a last resort.

Remediation
Remedial English classes are available in the Junior School free of cost. These classes support students who have insufficient exposure to English outside school. Apart from honing their language skills, the classes focus on developing social skills. Informal remedial work is also offered in Mathematics and other subjects as and when required. Teachers and Teaching assistants are readily available to offer assistance during and outside the classroom hours.

Supportive Environment
The School thrives with a team-based management philosophy. Parents are encouraged to raise concerns about their child with the Principal, Vice Principal or teacher at short notice. The involvement of parents is considered an essential part of the learning process.

Nurturing responsible students
The School encourages students to be responsible at a very young age. With guidance and supervision from teachers, Class Two students produce a two-page newsletter called "Pop Paper". "Pop Paper" features with student announcements, crossword puzzles and stories, comics and poems by students. Class One students produce a similar newsletter called "Blast". At senior level, Class Nine students publish an annual yearbook, "Reflections". The School also publishes a student newspaper, "Frontline".

Every quarter, prefects are appointed starting from Class Six level and above. These prefects are responsible for mentoring the students of a particular class. The students also actively organise school functions such as cultural events, Meena Bazaar (an annual market day event) and all student activities, which help to foster their organisational and leadership skills.

Enhanced Learning
A significant aspect of school life at the Aga Khan School, Dhaka, is the enhanced student learning experience. The School has made a clear commitment to encourage students’ understanding of topics taught in the school curriculum rather than rote memorisation of material. Practical exercises allow students to apply new skills in their daily lives.

For example, Computer Studies at the upper secondary level involves learning from case studies. The case studies help students comprehend, analyse, process and then develop problem-based solutions with active teacher support. Such intensive teacher-student interactions in class also helps increase the effectiveness of teaching and learning.

Co-curricular and community activities such as study tours, science fairs and open houses provide students with an opportunity to interact with the larger school community and develop self-confidence and social skills.

A focus on Integrated Learning
The teaching methodology involves an integrated approach at primary level. The focus gradually shifts to individual subjects at secondary level. Links between different subjects are established at secondary level. For example, Religious Studies topics are linked with English language instruction to promote language learning and value-based education.