KARACHI: The Aga Khan University’s Examination Board (AKUEB) has launched its revamped Middle School Programme (MSP), a statement said Monday. The programme, recognising the importance of experiential learning, offers a project-based learning approach for students of grades 6 to 8. Learning from their own experience provides the knowledge, skills and values that are fundamental to sustainable success.
The event was attended by over 400 educationists including, school principals, teachers and academic coordinators from across Sindh. The programme focuses on developing essential competencies in students, such as critical thinking, communication skills, and teamwork – often referred to as 21st century skills – through broad-based interdisciplinary projects.
Aisha Malik, a student from Hyderabad who participated in the middle school projects spoke excitedly about her experience of working with a group of students. It was both amazing and unique. “I became very excited whenever my teachers announced a new project as they gave me an opportunity to test my skills at a whole new level. They also helped me recognise my abilities and special skills as a team worker,” she said.
Another student from Hyderabad, Sahil Francis said, “I had a great time while working in teams. These projects will play a very significant role in my practical life. The skills acquired from these projects will help me to cope with situations in my daily routine.”
Speaking about the aims of the programme, AKUEB Director Dr Shehzad Jeeva said, “The aim is to facilitate a learning environment that prepares not only problem highlighters but problem solvers and creative thinkers.
We believe that, in order to navigate and thrive in the 21st century, Pakistan’s education system must inculcate in the students the ability to think out of the box, to be analytical, collaborative, curious, imaginative and innovative. MSP aims to prepare
the students to cope up in a world that evolves at an unprecedented speed.”
Each school that opts for the programme will receive a set of six interdisciplinary projects per class based on middle school syllabi drawn from the National Curriculum of Pakistan.
The projects will be across five core subjects, mathematics, science, social studies, Urdu, and English with students working individually and in groups to complete project tasks and then compile them as one portfolio. The schools affiliating with AKUEB will benefit from orientation sessions, annual teacher meetings and on-going teacher development support.
Appreciating the programme, Chief Guest Jameel Yusuf, former chief of the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee and President of ‘I am Karachi’ consortium said, “Today we live in a technology and media-suffused environment. To be effective in such a dynamic world, our students must be able to create, evaluate and effectively utilise the abundant information acquired through media and technology.”