Stephen Ssenkaaba
Kampala
WHEN His Highness, the Aga Khan, established a high school on Makerere Hill Road, it was to promote an education that embraced different cultures. Aga Khan High School was established as the first-ever multi-racial school in the country, admitting students from Africa, Asia, Europe and other parts of the world.
Currently, Aga Khan High School has students from 31 countries. The students are encouraged to interact and learn not only academic subjects, but also about one another. It is in such a spirit of promoting cultural unity and quality education that the school, last week marked its 50th anniversary and culture day.
Activities to mark this occasion included food exhibitions, fashion shows, as well as music, dance and drama presentations from each of the 31 cultures.
The event was presided over by the Minister of State for Youth and Child affairs, Maj James Kinobe.
“Instead of throwing a huge party, we have decided to celebrate the cultural diversity that Aga Khan Development Network has always stood for,” said Margaret A. Radier, the headteacher.
“This celebration is meant, to give students an opportunity to show off their cultures in diverse ways. We also hope that it will expose our students to different cultural systems and subsequently, widen their experiences and understanding of other cultures,” said Julius Twinomujuni, the teacher in charge of the cultural day celebrations.
The Aga Khan Schools strive to create a harmonious balance between academic demands, sporting and cultural activities and community life. “We challenge pupils to be intellectually inquisitive and socially conscious,” said Radier.
This is reflected in the school’s diverse study programmes that include both Uganda National Examinations Board and the International Certificate of Secondary Education and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula.
It is also reflected in sports, co-curricular activities, art, drama, music and community service. As part of their community service programme, IB students have participated in the construction of a primary school for the community in Butambala County. The students also recently donated funds for the construction of pit latrines for communities in Kalangala district.
Students are exposed to subjects that stimulate critical thinking and broaden their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
The school also inculcates respect, honesty and hard work in the students.
“One of our aims is to organise students and teacher exchange programmes to build on the idea of intercultural understanding,” says Margaret Bell, the head of the Aga Khan Education Service in Uganda.
Aga Khan High School Kampala was established by the Aga Khan Development Network. It was officially opened on October 24, 1957 by Sir Frederick Crawford, the then Governor of Uganda.
Following the expulsion of the Asians by then President, Idi Amin in 1972, the school was taken over by the Government and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. Its name changed to Kampala High School.
In 1993, the Aga Khan Development Network repossessed the Aga Khan schools. Aga Khan High School was re-established in 1998.
It is on such a strong academic and socio-cultural background that Aga Khan has continued growing. Over the last 50 years, the school has trained people who have contributed to the growth of their countries through their various professions.
Ismailimail 