Global vision for local students

A thorough and well-rounded education includes promoting a global dimension in the school curriculum. Students as well as teachers in local schools should be exposed to developments in the international education sector; they should get an understanding of how children study in other countries.

Fulfilling this objective is the aim of the 'DFID Global Schools Partnership' programme, launched by the British Council in collaboration with the UK Government's Department for International Development (DFID).

The programme, which functions under the 'Global School Linking Project', works under the premise that a

school partnership between two countries with diverse backgrounds could be a powerful and exciting way of bringing an international dimension to a country.

Through this programme, DFID promotes partnerships between schools in the UK and schools in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. These include pre-schools, primary, middle, secondary, Government, private, aided and special schools. The British Council manages the programme and works closely with its partners which include the Cambridge Education Foundation, UK, One World Linking Association and the Voluntary Service Overseas.

When selecting the local schools to take part in the programme, the British Council of Sri Lanka sought the assistance of the Education Ministry. Around 52 schools were selected and among them was St. Paul's Girls' School, Milagiriya. Shiroma De Silva, the teacher in charge of the programme at the school, visited UK and spent five days at St. Neots Community College, Cambridgeshire, studying the teaching methods, school curriculum and traditions.

Then, Jan Moseley-Evans, Assistant Principal, St. Neots Community College visited Sri Lanka and took part in several programmes arranged by St. Paul's.

Geetha Abeygunawardene, Principal, St. Paul's explained, "We organised a book exhibition and a concert. Ms. Moseley-Evan was able to see how a traditional ceremony is conducted according to Sri Lankan values with the lighting of the oil lamp among the sounds of the drums. She got a taste of the Sri Lankan cuisine as well".

She expressed her joy at being given the opportunity of taking part in these events. She also said that she

 was able to get an insight into Sri Lanka's education system and said that the large number of students per class, she thought, was a barrier to group work.

The teacher exchange programme is expected to continue and will have many benefits on the local education system.