KARACHI: In a brightly lit classroom at Rehan School in Karachi, students engage with educational content on laptops, tuning into podcasts rather than poring over textbooks. Pakistan’s first AI-enabled school has replaced conventional learning tools with technology, encouraging students to learn through resources like TED Talks, podcasts, and video interviews.
Founded in January 2022 as part of the Supertec Foundation, an initiative by US-based Super Technologies Inc., Rehan School departs from traditional methods, using AI to deliver interactive, accessible educational content across five campuses, including Karachi, Khanewal, Islamabad, and an online platform. This approach contrasts with the rote learning typically practiced in Pakistani schools, allowing students to gain knowledge through engaging, technology-driven methods.
“Our main goal is to build confidence, enhance listening and communication skills, and develop practical abilities that allow students to earn a livelihood,” said Altaf Hussain, principal of the Karachi campus in the Korangi Industrial area. The school’s principal’s office is space-themed, with images of planets and astronauts, reinforcing the school’s mission to inspire students to aim high in their lives and careers.
The school’s innovative approach gives students, even from ages 8 to 15, leadership roles, with a student vice principal appointed to foster responsibility and leadership skills. “In our classrooms, students are the ones teaching; the role of the teacher is to facilitate,” explained Hussain. In addition, students design their syllabi, select tasks, and create their schedules, which teacher Misbah Altaf notes fosters independence and knowledge retention.
Students advance through eight progressive levels, beginning with activities to build public speaking and creative expression. Notably, each student must earn $100 through freelancing to move from Level 1 to Level 2, blending education with practical experience.
The “Corridor of Inspiration,” decorated with quotes from influential figures like Malala Yousafzai, Einstein, and Mother Teresa, is another hallmark of Rehan School’s environment, fostering a sense of global citizenship and aspiration.
The innovative methods have left a lasting impact on students. Parvaish Khan, 15, who was previously home-schooled, shared that she gained practical skills like prompt engineering to create projects, including a website featuring interviews with notable individuals. Thirteen-year-old Abdul Ahad also shared his enthusiasm for the “bagless” school. “Here, we only need a laptop, charger, phone, and mobile charger,” he said, recalling the heavy backpack he used to carry in his previous school. “I realized that back then, we were wasting time studying outdated material just to pass tests.”
Rehan School is setting a new standard in education, championing a model that emphasizes real-world skills and critical thinking over rote memorization.
