AKA Dhaka hosts government officials to observe the KIX project

On Thursday, 27 July 2023, the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka welcomed a team of government officials from the Dhaka Division and District Primary Education Office (DPEO). The purpose of the visit was to observe the Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) project activities at the school level and meet with teachers to comprehend the contributions of KIX towards their professional development.

The Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance of Concordia University – in partnership with the Aga Khan Academies, Wilfred Laurier University and World Vision Canada – leads the KIX project to improve English literacy skills of early graders in Bangladesh, Rwanda and Kenya. As part of this, the Professional Development Centre (PDC) and Outreach department of the Academy in Dhaka is implementing the KIX project in 13 government primary schools across eight divisions in Bangladesh, which consists of 13 teachers and over 800 students.

The government officials visited the National Bikal Government Primary School and Sholohati Government Primary School in Dhaka, where they experienced the integration of technology in teaching-learning processes. The teachers emphasised the significance of the KIX initiative and how it helps kids and teachers in the early grades with English language acquisition through technology.

During the visit, Dhaka division’s Deputy Director of Education Mr Mirza Hasan Khasru and District Primary Education Officer Mr Abdul Aziz emphasised the need to use technology alongside textbooks and create meaningful connections with the national curriculum.  

“If we want to compete with the rest of the world, we have to adapt technology in our teaching-learning process,” Mr Mirza said.

The officials then visited the Academy and discussed the impact and prospects of the KIX project with the Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Education Service, Bangladesh Salimah Kassam, Head of Academy Suvina Shunglu, Head of PDC and Outreach Md Musle Uddin Bhuiya and Education Officer Md Tozammel Haque.

Mr Musle highlighted the role of technology in maximising the learning outcomes of students.

“The true power of technology lies in transforming the learning landscape, sparking curiosity, enabling collaboration and making education more accessible and personalised,” Mr Musle said. “In essence, it is about elevating the human aspect of education, empowering each student to reach their full potential.”