British Council enhances international learning in local school curriculum with support from Educati

This year, 144 schools from remote and urban areas of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Badulla, Bandarawela, Colombo, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Jaffna, Kandy, Ratnapura, Kegalle and Kurunegala received the ‘British Council International School Award’ at the award ceremony held recently at the Eagles Lakeside banquet hall in Attidiya, Dehiwala. 

Ministry of Education Secretary Upali Marasinghe was the Chief Guest. The International School Award ceremony was attended by hundreds of students, parents, teachers, and principals from schools island-wide.

The British Council International School Award (ISA) is an accreditation scheme that recognises and celebrates exemplary practices of internationalism in schools. ISA encourages schools to collaborate and innovate with overseas schools to create an enriching learning experience for students through the use of information technology, creative informative practices and a practical context for learning. 

Schools that participate in ISA begin by drafting an action plan for an academic year with a minimum of seven projects related to international dimensions covering a range of subject areas and age groups. The schools record their work and present a dossier of evidence that is assessed by a panel. Schools that are successful in meeting the assessment criteria are awarded the accreditation for a period of three years.

British Council Sri Lanka Country Director Keith Davies OBE, commenting on the ISA scheme, said: “One of our most important programs with schools is called ‘Connecting Classrooms’ – a global education program offered by the British Council and UK Aid which supports teachers and school leaders in over 50 countries. This program aims to create an enhanced teacher-learning experience while developing young people’s skills required for the global economy.  It provides opportunities for schools, students and teachers in Sri Lanka to digitally engage, connect and interact with their counterparts in the UK and other countries. I am delighted that our work with schools through this program touches all parts of Sri Lanka including more than 500 schools across all nine provinces.”

The program reaps many benefits for students and teachers alike. It helps design, develop and implement international activities in schools which develop global awareness in both teachers and students across a range of subjects. It also optimises their opportunities for networking, while the award itself gives a sense of recognition to the schools. One of the main advantages of being a part of Connecting Classrooms is the accessibility and connectivity provided by the British Council’s ‘School’s Online’ website (schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org) This portal provides opportunities for teachers in Sri Lanka to collaborate with partner schools of other countries in a direct and engaging manner.

The program combines opportunities for face to face interaction for pupils and teachers around the world and increasingly utilises ICT and digital media to allow schools, students, and teachers in Sri Lanka to engage, connect and interact with their counterparts in UK and other countries.

The British Council in partnership with the Ministry of Education hopes to reach out to 200 schools next year, promoting the integration of an international and global learning to the local curriculum.