Each year, the Teachers' International Professional Development programme (TIPD) gives over 2500 UK teachers the opportunity to experience world class teaching in another country. Using networks of schools, teachers and local authorities, partnerships are created to enable teachers to examine models of good practice in local overseas classrooms.
The TIPD programme enhances international understanding and gives teachers first hand experience of other educational systems through focused visits and exchanges. Teachers are given the opportunity to engage in critical dialogue about the skills and methodology for improving school and classroom performance. Through these partnerships and interactions, TIPD aims to develop world class standards.
In Nigeria the programme offers UK teachers the opportunity to understand Nigerian education systems through first hand experience. In return, Nigerian teachers can benefit from interacting with their UK counterparts. During school visits, the teachers compare teaching and learning styles that underpin the theme of creativity within school curriculum, as well as the use of creativity in developing the learning skills of pupils. The visits are expected to enhance understanding of cultural diversity with reference to the social, moral and spiritual aspects of shared experience.
Since the programme began, teachers from Northumberland, North Yorkshire have met with officials from education directorates and visited schools in Abuja and Kaduna. We are currently expecting a team of teachers from Liverpool to visit Lagos and Enugu States in Nigeria
A typical programme involves:
- specialist briefings on theme, local and national context
- observation of curriculum delivery in school
- sharing of materials with local colleagues
- contact with pupils and team teaching with local staff if possible
- discussion of comparative approaches with overseas colleague
For more information on Teachers international professional development, click here
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