Nurturing changemakers of tomorrow at the Aga Khan Nursery and Primary School, Dar es Salaam’s PYP exhibition
The Aga Khan Nursery and Primary School (AKNPS), Dar es Salaam, held its annual Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition from 5-6 March 2024. The event gathered esteemed guests including Her Excellency (H.E.) Liberata Mulamula, a Tanzanian diplomat, politician and former Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. H.E. Ms Mulamula is also an alumna of the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam.
In the pursuit of fostering globally aware and responsible learners, Grade 6 students at AKNPS, Dar es Salaam explored the transdisciplinary theme “how the world works” throughout their fourth unit of inquiry. This theme provided a comprehensive framework for students to investigate various global issues independently, fostering collaboration, critical reflection and action.
During her speech at the exhibition, H.E. Ms Mulamula thanked the school for equipping students at a young age with the right skills and an inquisitive mind to find solutions to worldwide challenges.
“As you complete your primary years, I urge you to be goodwill ambassadors to help others understand the theme ‘how the world works’," H.E. Ms Mulamula said. “Continue to have inquisitive minds and make deep inquiries on issues of focus to make a difference in our society, the communities you live in and our families. Knowledge is power; use it as you advance to the next level after primary school for better results in your studies.”
Following the inquiry cycle, students explored a variety of issues such as violence, war, access to education, pollution and gender inequality. Guided by their mentors, students exemplified the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile attributes, which included being inquirers, open-minded, knowledgeable, caring, thinkers, risk-takers, communicators, balanced, principled and reflective.
“The exhibition has been a very interesting journey as we have learnt and researched many topics,” said Aaliya Dinani, a PYP student. “My topic was water scarcity, and we went through different fields to conduct research. Working as a group, we shared a lot of knowledge. Through our exploration of water scarcity, we recognised it as a global issue, and as a community, we should collectively seek solutions to end it. One solution we proposed is rainwater harvesting.”
Students’ projects were developed through a rigorous research process, beginning with the identification of issues, formulation of guiding questions and definition of central ideas and lines of inquiry. Utilising diverse sources such as non-fiction literature, media, guest speakers and field trips, students attained comprehensive insights into their chosen topics.
Annabel Severe, whose project focuses on child abuse, learnt that while some children live in safe and protected environments at home, others face difficult lives.
“Through my project, I visited a children's shelter called ‘The Spring Hope’ where my group and I met children who experienced abuse, some as young as 14 or 15 years old,” she said. “Therefore, we aim to raise awareness about this issue through our project.”
In the culminating event, students showcased their conceptual understanding of these complex issues in the school community and local institutions while asserting their agency through voice, choice and ownership.
“Throughout this journey, learning outcomes were collaboratively identified and continuously evaluated through diagnostic, formative and summative assessments, ensuring an engaging educational experience,” said Luis Guzman, the PYP coordinator.
The Aga Khan Nursery and Primary School, Dar es Salaam appreciates students' active participation in this year's Primary Years Programme Exhibition and their commitment to create positive change based on their acquired knowledge. Through the Primary Years Programme curriculum, the school remains dedicated to fostering students who are academically proficient, socially conscious and prepared to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Photos (top to bottom):
- Grade 6 students performing at the event
- Students showcasing their project
- The school management team and parents enjoying the students' performances
- Her Excellency Ms Mulamula visiting the exhibition stalls
