In a country that ranks among the top states affected by climate-induced disasters, an urban forest inaugurated at the Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan School in Karimabad, Karachi, kicked off the process of greening Aga Khan Education Service schools in Pakistan.
An urban forest at the Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan School in Karimabad, Karachi was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor of NED (Nadirshaw Eduljee Dinshaw) University of Engineering and Technology. The forest, which covers an area of 48m², contains 154 trees of 14 different species planted in close proximity and all native to the region. The forest has been planted with the technical expertise of the NED University and the generous support of the SMS Aga Khan School’s graduating class of 1986. The Chairman of the Aga Khan Education Services, Pakistan, Mr. Moez Narsi, said that Pakistan ranked among the top countries affected by climate-induced disasters and the city of Karachi has recently seen spells of extreme summer temperatures that have caused many lives and added to the distress of the citizens.
The Diamond Jubilee High School, Mumbai recently celebrated the International Day for Older Persons, by honouring the grandparents of its students. The grandparents were felicitated and invited to be a part of Circle Time (a special time of the day when the teacher and students take turns to share and connect with each other). Students wrote letters to their grandparents, which they read aloud in class. They also played various games with their grandparents who in turn, shared their life experiences and favourite childhood stories.
Diamond Jubilee High School, Mazagaon, managed by the Aga Khan Education Services in India, conducted a poetry dramatisation competition for the students of Class 3 to 5. The students recited poems on celebration, nature, freedom, humour and journey. Each class was given an hour to perform. Teachers across sections evaluated the students, on the parameters of choice of poem, expression, diction, clarity, props and gestures. Parents lauded the opportunity provided by the school as well as the efforts of the students.
The Department of Sociology and Management Sciences of the University of Chitral in collaboration with ACTED Pakistan recently organised a seminar with the theme of "Lessons learned from Covid-19 and the way forward". Guests from different walk of life participated in the seminar and presented their paper on Covid-19. The speakers highlighted the importance of domestic research and public health capacity during Covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Zulfiqar Ali from the Aga Khan Education Services Pakistan discussed the impact of Covid-19 in the education sector.
Diamond Jubilee High School, Mumbai in Mazgaon, managed by the Aga Khan Education Services, held its first-ever virtual investiture ceremony. In a bid to create a mindset of self-direction and student ownership, the Student Council was set up to empower themselves and other students with voice and choice to create a powerful student-centric movement. To create a conducive learning environment, the council will co-create opportunities with their mentors for peers to participate in.
Raida Siddiqui from the Aga Khan School in Dhaka and four other girls have defeated teams from all around the world with their idea for a project aimed at green urbanisation at the Hong Kong-based global charity foundation, 24 Hour Race. Their project, ReLeaf, aims to popularise urban gardening within their immediate environment in Dhaka utilising advances in technology. The girls have outlined a plan to connect nurseries located in different parts of the capital with its residents using an app, that can be used to purchase plants from the nurseries.
The Aga Khan Foundation and the Aga Khan Education Services have curated a list of practical tips and activities to support the relationships, wellbeing and learning of students as they return to school during COVID-19.