Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Sherqilla

Curriculum

A Rigorous Academic Experience

To bring diversity and rigour to the learning experiences of our students, Aga Khan Schools have a two-fold curriculum approach. First, the syllabi prescribed by the examination boards are enriched, which means that the entire curriculum is reviewed and revised with special focus on certain themes and concepts. The teaching of English is skill-based, focusing on reading and critical thinking, writing skills, oral communication skills, as well as on the ethical and social dimensions of language learning. The Science teaching and learning focuses more on conceptual understanding and exploration. Our approach is inquiry-based and students learn through project work and practical experimentation. In addition, the School is introducing Physical Education and Health, as well as PrISM — Personal, Intellectual, Social and Moral development — curriculums.

Classroom sessions are student-centered with a focus on interactive teaching that includes discussions, case studies and research projects. For assessment, the School is affiliated with the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB), the only examination board in South Asia to integrate e-marking, or computer-based marking, in its assessment methodology.

AKHSS, Sherqilla offers instruction in following areas:

  1. Pre-Primary
  2. Primary
  3. Middle
  4. Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in Science Group
  5. Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) in Pre-Medical and Pre-Engineering

A four-year pre-primary programme facilitates development during the child’s formative years (3 to 7 years). Children are encouraged to explore their potential in the following areas:

  • Early Exploration and Concept Building
  • Social and Moral Development
  • Artistic and Musical Development
  • Language and Literacy

Junior and Senior Curriculum

An eight-year junior secondary programme provides several exciting, inspiring and thought-provoking opportunities for students to enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes in the following areas:

  • Language (English, Urdu and provincial / local)
  • Logic and mathematics
  • Knowledge and understanding of the environment and the world
  • Arts
  • Moral, social and personal development
  • Health and physical development
  • Critical thinking

Pre-Secondary Level

The national curriculum is followed for grade VIII but teachers have made significant enrichments in the syllabus. The prime focus of the grade VIII curriculum is to give a strong basis in English, Mathematics and Science subjects. Other compulsory subjects like Urdu, Pakistan studies and Islamiat are also part of the curriculum.

Secondary School Certificate (SSC)

The School offers science subjects at Secondary level. These subjects include Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat and Urdu. The School follows Aga Khan University Examination syllabus prescribed by National Curriculum Wing.

Higher Secondary School Certificate in Pre-Medical

For Pre-Medical students, the schools lay the foundations for a professional career. The two years at Aga Khan Higher Secondary Schools are extremely important for the students’ personal and academic development, and preparation for a challenging professional journey.

The Higher Secondary Pre-Medical programme provides a general exposure to the basics of scientific inquiry. It is an entry point to a host of fields within medicine, such as Physiotherapy, Surgery, Pharmacy, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, and so on.

The scientific skills of the students are polished in an atmosphere conducive to learning, and under the guidance of a fully-qualified, passionate and devoted faculty. Students attend lectures, take part in interactive sessions, and conduct practicals in well-equipped labs.

Higher Secondary School Certificate in Pre-Engineering

The Higher Secondary Pre-Engineering provides general exposure to many aspects of basic scientific inquiry. All courses within the programme are designed to prepare students to pursue different fields of engineering such as Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Aeronautical, Architectural, Telecom, Chemical, Environmental, Space and others. This is achieved through detailed lectures, interactive sessions, seminars, and practicals in well-equipped labs.

Extra-Curricular Activities

With an aim to encourage student creativity and initiative, AKHSS, Sherqilla has a number of clubs and societies for students, such as language, welfare and literary societies.

Some of these come under the elected Student Representative Council. The Council is elected for a year and it is headed by a student president and vice president. The Council works in cooperation with the School faculty and management.

In addition, an annual students’ week is celebrated in which the following competitions are held: sports, including cricket, volleyball, football, badminton, tennis, athletics and so on; the performing arts, including drama, speech and music; essay writing; painting; and model making.