AKU-EB brings together schools’ leadership to discuss the
integration of technology in education across Gilgit-Baltistan
As we come closer to recovering from
the pandemic, it is time for educational institutions to reflect and consider ways
for preparing education system to be more resilient to unprecedented
disruptions, more responsive to the needs of students and conductive for lifelong
learning experience in the coming future. Integrating technology in education
has been an effective solution across the world. To learn about the experiences of different
schools in the remote regions of Pakistan and to discuss access to modern
technological tool for teaching, learning and assessment, Aga Khan University
Examination Board (AKU-EB) organized a series of roundtable discussions titled
“EdTech - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - Experiences from the Mountains of
Pakistan” held in Gilgit and Gahkuh from March 7-9, 2022. The roundtable
discussion was chaired by Dr Naveed Yousuf, Associate Director, Assessment and
Research, Aga Khan University Examination Board Mr. Imran Bashi, the CEO of the
Jenabai Welfare Organization, Dr Shehzad Jeeva, Director AKU-EB, and Mr Hanif Shariff
Associate Director also attended. Many leaders from different educational
institutions, NGOs and other civil society personnel attended the event.
The
AKU-EB recognizes that for the remote Gilgit Baltistan, an immediate integration
of technology into online teaching, learning and assessment was challenge with
lack of access to proper internet connectivity. To ensure the equitable
learning opportunities and no student is left behind, the Aga Khan University
Examination Board and its partnership with the Knowledge Platform ensured the
installation and access to technological tools available for online teaching,
learning and assessment.
Mr
Shah Rahim, Principal of the DJ Model High School Singal Ghizer noted that “Despite
many challenges related to accessibility, we continued teaching and learning in
the schools using social media groups and platforms. Our teachers learnt how to
use modern gadgets for recording lectures and disseminating those to students
through smart technology”, said. The lectures broadcasted through local cables with
the digital library provided by the AKU-EB playing a key role during the
pandemic.
Ms
Robeena, Principal, Elysian Higher Secondary School Gilgit shared teachers’
experience noting that they were able to cover up the deficiencies through the
lectures and reading content in the digital forms. This was an opportunity not
only for students but teachers to learn many ways of integrating technology into
their teaching plans.
Mr
Haider Yosaf, Principal, Leadership Academy Gahkcuh noted that GB has extreme
limitation in terms of access to internet facility; therefore, it was not easy
for schools to shift teaching and learning to the digital forms. Schools did their
best to digitize education with limited resources. Social media platforms
played a huge role as these platforms worked even during poor internet connectivity.
Mr Yosaf further noted that up-gradation of internet facilities in the area
will bring more opportunities and lead to a paradigm shift to a new era.
Many
participants highlighted the shortage of electricity in winter and high cost of
gadgets as major hurdles for using new technology in Gilgit-Baltistan.
“Transition
from classroom to online learning has improved collaboration among the students
as well as the teachers”, said Ms Nadia Feroz Ali, Principal, Aga Khan Higher
Secondary School Gahkuch.
Dr
Shehzad Jeeva, Director AKU-EB suggested schools to pool up their resources and
use these as common assets for the benefit of students across schools in the
region. He further pointed about the issue related to cybercrime and cyber-bullying
in Pakistan and emphasized about children and parents’ awareness about the
matter.
In conclusion, Mr Imran
Bashi, expressed that the use of technology and learning 21st
century skills are the way forward for the future. “We need to keep ourselves
updated of emerging technologies to be ready for more challenges in the coming future.”
.JPG)
