British Council links South African schools with UK counterparts in an effort towards knowledge sharing and international partnerships
Seven South African schools have forged partnerships with UK schools as part of the UK-funded Connecting Classrooms project, a unique global education programme. Connecting Classrooms is designed to broaden teaching practice, equipping teachers to prepare their learners with the skills they need for life and work in a global economy.
Colm McGivern, Director South Africa said: “Connecting Classrooms equips teachers and school leaders to broaden their teaching practice and ultimately improve learning outcomes for young people in the 21st century.
It’s a fantastic way for teachers to access free professional training and learn practical approaches to teaching the core skills required by students to fully prepare them for life and work in a global economy.
Forging a partnership and working with a school overseas who has also completed the training is a unique way to not only understand more about the education system of another country, but also compare approaches, take away new ideas and pedagogies, and ultimately build confidence in delivering the core skills in the classroom.”
Once teachers complete the Core Skills Professional Development training, schools are eligible to apply for an international partnership. As part of the programme, teachers incorporate teaching ‘21st century Core Skills’ into the curriculum, as well as to visit partner schools in the other country to exchange insights and ideas on how to improve teaching and learning in their schools.
This week, UK teachers will visit their partner school in South Africa and share their experiences and successes in teaching and implementing the Core Skills into their own curriculum.
The visit will culminate in a conference: Sharing good practice and celebrating professional partnerships (UK-SA) on 16 February 2017 at the Park Inn in Sandton, providing a platform for their success to be shared more widely.
Representatives from the South African Department of Basic Education and British Council Country Director, Colm McGivern will be in attendance.
For more information about Connecting Classrooms, please contact Thabisa: Thabisa.Ndlazi@britishcouncil.org.za