In today’s digital world, equipping students with the skills to navigate virtual environments is no longer optional - it’s essential.
At Light International School Mombasa we have embraced this by launching Online Day, an initiative held once a term whereby teachers and students work from home - not only giving them an insight into modern virtual learning and working practice but also supporting staff wellbeing and innovation.
The concept of Online Day was born from reflections on the challenges and opportunities presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Like almost all schools, we transitioned rapidly to virtual learning during the pandemic, but when we returned to in-school teaching, we wanted to consider what we could learn from the experience.
Our online teaching day
While one part of this focus was thinking about how we could support staff wellbeing, with flexible working having become common across other careers during the pandemic, we also heard feedback from our alumni that many of their university courses were largely delivered online.
This helped us to reframe online learning not as a contingency but as essential preparation for higher education and digital workspaces.
As such, in 2024 we began offering our Online Day for all students across the school.
Online Day is not simply a “day off-site”. It’s a carefully structured and educationally intentional experience: students engage in interactive virtual classes and project-based learning in remote groups, and participate in live webinars.
Our Virtual Teaching and Learning Policy ensures structured, well-resourced lessons aligned with curriculum standards. Teachers use quality-controlled presentations, digital forms and recorded sessions to support student engagement and access.
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Over time teachers have documented and shared effective practices so we have built a repository of strategies to strengthen our teaching capabilities and innovation.
This all helps to reinforce students’ digital literacy, cyber safety, time management and collaborative skills - preparing them for university and future professional environments
Of course, picking a date for Online Day is highly important.
We plan ahead to select a Friday based on calendar suitability, event scheduling and staff and student wellbeing. The date is finalised at the end of the previous term before the new term calendar is shared with the school community.
For example, term one’s Online Day was held on 11 October, coinciding with an international chess tournament hosted at school, which meant that noise would be at a minimum for the chess players.
Term two’s Online Day (14 March) occurred during the middle of Ramadan, offering a respite during a spiritually and physically demanding time. Meanwhile, summer term’s Online Day is scheduled for 6 June, just before a public holiday, providing a seamless transition into an extended weekend.
Positive feedback and family engagement
Since its launch, Online Day has been well-received by students and staff. Teachers appreciate a change of pace, from avoiding the commute to finishing on time at home. It also serves as a built-in opportunity for self-directed professional development in a quiet environment.
Pupil feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, too. For many, Online Day offers a refreshing change from the traditional classroom routine.
Finally, it has also garnered positive feedback from parents, who appreciate the initiative’s alignment with modern educational demands and its role in preparing students for the future.
Some even take the day off to be at home with their children, offering encouragement and assistance throughout the remote learning experience, making the day a shared family event.
A vision for the future
Ultimately, Online Day is about more than just what happens on a single day - it’s a symbol of how schools can blend innovation with practicality, and how structured change can empower both educators and learners.
It’s about building adaptability, inclusion, digital fluency and future-readiness to benefit both staff and students
Ildar Iliazov is principal of Light International School Mombasa in Kenya
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