Recover and Revitalise: The Aga Khan Nursery School, Mombasa Celebrates International Day of Education
It was a bright sunny January morning. The air was filled with excitement and enthusiasm; the laughter of children echoed across the Aga Khan Nursery School, Mombasa (AKNSM), as they prepared to celebrate the International Day of Education.
There was a heightened sense of eagerness this year, given that the school had only recently reopened after being closed for eight months due to the government mandated closure as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fittingly, the United Nations International Day of Education was themed “Recover and Revitalise Education for the Covid-19 Generation.” The aim was to highlight the importance of education as a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.
Education is a mechanism that facilitates learning, or the acquirement of knowledge, skills, values, morals and beliefs. It can take on many forms from teaching, storytelling, dialogue and inquiry under the supervision of an educator and through peer collaboration. Any experience that has a developmental effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered as learning. With this mind, the teachers curated a fun-filled day of activities that enabled each and every student to express themselves in a way that felt authentic to their unique personalities.
The students began their morning by brainstorming what education means to them. They conducted role plays of what they aspire to become when they grow up. Some students made their own slogans and also confidently marched around the school exhibiting them. Others drew, coloured and painted their own understanding of the importance of education. Those that were inclined towards crafting, created their own hats and bracelets from recycled materials. Education through music was also on the menu of activities, as the music teacher led singing and dancing sessions to the ‘joy of learning songs.’ There were recitals of rhymes and some students shared their musical talents and composed their own songs about Covid-19.
The day was filled with lots of laughter, smiles and memories. There was something truly special about being physically reunited after months of remote learning. The pandemic has helped to accelerate the creation of more resilient, inclusive and innovative education systems - signalling that recovering and revitalising education post pandemic is a collective responsibility and foundational for fostering equality in our societies.
Photos (top to bottom):
- Two students speak about what World Education Day is all about.
- Students began their morning by brainstorming what education means to them.
- Students made their own slogans on education and marched around the school them
- Students conducted role plays of what they aspire to become when they grow up and two students speak about how they would like to be chefs and cook tasty healthy food for people.
