Welsh Secretary will visit Heronsbridge
School in Bridgend later today (Monday 12 November) to
encourage more schools in Wales to sign up to the UK aid
backed Connecting Classrooms
through Global Learning programme, which launched in
England in September.
The scheme, which is co-funded by The Department for
International Development (DFID) and the British Council,
unites pupils in the UK with school children around the
world to build friendships and increase awareness and
understanding of global issues.
The programme aims to connect more than three million
primary and secondary school pupils in the UK with schools
in countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It
will also train 60,000 teachers and school leaders in the
UK and developing countries to equip pupils with the
knowledge and skills to live and work in a global economy.
Heronsbridge is one of a growing number of Welsh schools
already taking part in the programme, and has existing
links to schools in Tanzania where teachers and pupils
regularly take part in exchanges and share work on topics
including culture, rights and responsibilities and the
environment.
Secretary of State for Wales said:
The UK Government Connecting Classrooms through Global
Learning programme is a valuable way for children here in
Wales to gain a broader view of the world at an early
age, learning more about the issues affecting countries
in all corners of the globe. It is also an opportunity
for schools around the world to benefit from the support
and knowledge of British teachers.
I urge primary schools and secondary schools across Wales
to sign up to take part in such a meaningful scheme
operating in a vast global network.
The Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme
is part of an initiative that introduces the UN’s 17
Sustainable Development Goals to students and teachers in
the UK and around the world. The Goals are designed to
deliver a more sustainable future for all and include
tackling hunger, providing clean water and affordable clean
energy. Research has shown that ‘school linking’ can
increase the quality of teaching and learning in the
schools involved, improving both pupil engagement and
teacher motivation.
International Development Secretary said:
The Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning
programme is a win for the UK and a win for the
developing world.
The programme will build deep and meaningful partnerships
between schools and communities in the UK and countries
all over the world.
I have already heard heart-warming stories of how
children taking part have come to realise just how much
they have in common, and how much they have learned from
each other, building lasting friendships.
Director of British Council Wales, Jenny Scott, said:
Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning provides
young people with an opportunity to develop the
knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive
in an increasingly global society. The partnership
between Heronsbridge School and schools in Africa shows
the huge impact these connections can have on pupils,
teachers and the local community. We hope schools across
Wales will sign up to take part.
