The first two Canadian teachers have arrived at the Academy in Mombasa, signalling the start of a unique teacher secondment programme offered in partnership between the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Aga Khan Academies network.

“The stereotypes in my head were shattered,” says Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad student Rohan Reddy after working with youth in a rural Indian village. “It wasn’t a one-way exchange. It was two ways.”

Rohan’s experience taught him to appreciate the perspectives of people different from himself – a key element in developing a pluralistic outlook. Nurturing pluralistic leaders is integral to the Academies programme. It requires focused effort both in the classroom and through experiences that engage students with people from diverse backgrounds.