DFID Global School Partnerships promotes partnership between schools in the UK and schools in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. We promote the partnership between the schools in UK and the Southern Countries which is sustainable; equity based and enhances teaching and learning in both countries.
DFID Global School Partnerships programme is delivered by a consortium of the British Council, Cambridge Education Foundation, UK One World Linking Association (UKOWLA) and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).
The programme aims to raise young people’s awareness of global development issues and equip them with the skills and knowledge to become active global citizens. We aim to promote global dimension in school curriculum.
The term 'global dimension’ refers to the extent to which global development issues are integrated within the formal curriculum. It is a form of participatory teaching and learning methodologies including discussion and debate. It is a way to broaden students’ views about world by exploring their perceptions and connections, and helping them recognise and think critically about different cultural, economic and political perspectives.
The global dimension can be understood through eight concepts that provide a framework for thinking about issues and integrating them into the curriculum:
- global Citizenship
- conflict resolution
- diversity
- human rights
- interdependence
- social justice
- values and perceptions
- sustainable development
We provide two types of grants, reciprocal visit grant for the new partnership, it provides one teacher each to visit the partner school mainly to strengthen the partnership and develop the partnership agreement. A teacher visted the UK on their reciprocal visit grant on 2008. Find out more on her visit.
The second type of grant is the Grant curriculum project grant which is for the schools which has the partnership at least two years old and this grant facilitates the schools to develop the project on any of the global dimension theme. And also two teachers from each school can visit the partner schools.
For School – It provides opportunities to enrich the curriculum
For Student- It provides increased awareness and understanding of the global issues/ thinking globally
For Staff- Besides professional developmental opportunities it also provides an opportunity to learn and work cross department/faculty which leads to team building and confidence among staff
A number of links have already been established between schools in Nepal and the UK. Currently we have 57 schools from 11 districts of Nepal which has partnership in the UK. Basically they are working on various topics like cultural exchanges, environmental projects and interdependence. We have plans to involve more schools from other districts as well.
Further advice and guidance on the programme is available at the Global Schools website. Should you be interested in developing partnerships with schools in the UK, contact us.
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