Safe Outdoor Classes at the Aga Khan Lycee in Khorog, Tajikistan
Summer 2020 has been totally different and like no other for many of us. Public health restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to isolation and anxiety for young children.
Considering this and the very different summer vacation that students had this year, the Aga Khan Lycee (AKL) in Khorog has made every effort to bring some fun into students’ school lives. Students enjoy being outdoors and the extra space allows physical distancing and poses a lower risk of spreading the virus, in comparison to being indoors.
AKL teachers have organised a variety of outdoor classes, including art, medicine, and physical education, which also gives students a different learning environment. Savrina Khayrimamadova, the school’s Medical Nurse, said, “Being outside has a lot of benefits for a child’s health. Apart from its positive impact on the immune system, it offers an additional emotional boost and can help you feel less tense, stressed, angry or depressed.”
If the weather allows, teachers will seek every possibility to use both the inside and outside of the school building to look after the health of its students, staff, and wider school community.
Zulfiya Noyobshoeva, an Art Teacher, said, “Students had a challenging time, which is not normal, especially for younger students. Despite the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still plenty of fun to bring into classes and make the learning process safe and productive”.
