Teacher Recruitment
The Sultan Mohamed Shah Aga Khan School, Karachi with
support from the Aga Khan Education Service, Pakistan
is strongly committed to promoting and enhancing quality
education. Better-trained and skilled teachers provide
a more varied, interesting and enriched learning experience
for the young people.
Teachers are carefully recruited through a rigorous
selection process. Candidates present a demonstration
lesson to assess their teaching skills and interviewed
by the School Administration. The teacher selection
criteria include: competence and experience in the subject
area, understanding of modern teaching methods and
commitment to student-centered learning, motivation
towards the teaching learning process and openness to
change.
Professional Development
School faculty regularly undergo a rigorous professional
development programme. The Aga Khan Education Service,
Pakistan regularly organises workshops and seminars
for management and teaching staff according to identified
needs. Topics include teaching methodology, classroom
management and use of information technology in teaching.
Teachers are also nominated for courses conducted by
various renowned organizations including the Aga Khan
University-Institute of Educational Development (AKU-IED),
Centre for English Language (AKU-CEL), Teachers Resource
Centre (TRC), Society of Pakistan English Language Teachers
(SPELT), Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and the
Karachi University.
Recently faculty attended a 40-hr workshop conducted
by the Intel Corporation on using computers in the classroom.
The course focused on integrating IT as a learning tool
across subject areas. The faculty acquired and enhanced
their computer / Internet research skills and prepared
animated and three-dimensional presentations.
Teachers are also trained in their subject areas during
specialized workshops. Workshops and training sessions
form an integral and ongoing component of the School’s
Teachers Development Programme.
Staff Appraisal
Besides regular attendance and involvement in various
training programmes, the school follows an intensive
appraisal system to monitor the progress of its faculty
and staff. Staff appraisal takes place periodically
throughout the year. A formal appraisal, which takes
place at the end of the year, analyses the following
factors in order to assess the performance of the staff:
- Achievements after the appointment
- Professional development and growth
- Quality of teaching
- Quality of pupils’ learning
- Quality of relationship with peers
- Professional responsibility.
Academic Development
School academics work closely with their peers by discussing
educational issues, theories, current pedagogical research
and applying them to the classroom. This interaction,
mainly through panel discussions, meetings and workshops
coupled with training, facilitates communication, collaboration
and idea exchange to implement new teaching techniques.
A faculty Academic Forum to encourage teamwork is a
regular feature for senior academic staff. All Learning
Area Coordinators share their views and discuss issues
related to their daily academic work at the forum.
International Exchange Programmes
The school is reaching out beyond the professional development
of staff at the national level and enjoys partnership
with the following international educational institutions
and agencies.
iEARN
Apart from student programmes, the International Education
and Resource Network (iEARN ) also offers professional
development opportunities for teachers. Teaching faculty
have enrolled in distance and local courses in online
collaborative project design and using the worldwide
web for teaching.
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