British Council Nepal organized a policy engagement programme on “Leading and Embedding an International Dimension in Curriculum” for the first time in Kathmandu. The programme provided a platform for stakeholders of the Education sector from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India to engage in a discussion on where they are currently with preparing their students for a place in the global economy and how they might embed the international dimension offer in their schools.
During the event, schools from Sri Lanka and Nepal shared their positive impact stories after embedding international dimension in their local curriculum. “The learning and teaching in the classroom today is more interactive unlike previously when the teachers used to primarily focus on the text books and school curriculum. There is now more sharing of ideas between teachers on how they can make their teaching sessions at the same time learning for their pupil interesting” highlights S.M. Auchithya Subasinghe, British Council Co-ordinator from Maliyadeva Model School, Sri Lanka.
“Teachers involvement is now more of a facilitator in this novel teaching learning process and Connecting Classroom today has become an integral part in our school curriculum. There is greater understanding about global issues, culture, diversity through collaborative work and moreover positive attitude towards learning and sharing responsibilities by ‘Thinking Globally, Acting Locally” amongst everyone” expressed Niroj Maharjan, Principal of Annal Jyoti Boarding School in Kathmandu.
Policy makers and educators present during the discussion also explored the correct context on leading and embedding International dimension in school curriculum.
The Chief Guest Dr Lava Deo Awasthi, Director General of Department of Education expressed “We want our children to respect our identity and embrace diversity at the same time as we are a multi lingual country. Therefore, it is equally very important to embed national and international dimension in our curriculum to ensure they lead the path to become good citizens of the world.”
While Dr Bal Krishna Ranjit, Deputy Director of Curriculum Development Centre highlighted “We are working collaboratively with the British Council Nepal in planning in joint curriculum mapping to analyse and identify areas for project based learning as per curriculum need. We assure our full commitment in deconstructing and revising our existing curriculum to transform and embed new international dimension in our teaching and learning.”
“The British Council through our Connecting Classrooms project not only links schools from Nepal to the UK but also schools from all round the world. By creating those links we are trying to nurture greater understanding of society and what shapes us as individuals. This learning can then be used for action to create a better and fairer world” expressed Dr Jovan Ilic, Acting Country Director, British Council Nepal in his concluding speech.