Seminar on transforming education for global needs

Updated on: Monday, April 30, 2012

More than 30 principals and educators from across the city came together to attend a seminar on 'Transforming Education for Global Needs' on Saturday. Organized by Shri Shikshayatan School, the seminar was presented by The Times of India and supported by the American Center.

Jeffery Reneau, director, American Center, began his speech by defining education in simple terms. "Education is the process of passing on our values, ideas, knowledge and understanding of the world to the next generation. The world is changing fast and gradually turning into a close-knit society." Reneau urged educators to work together and help the students to see the world.

Jane Krill Thompson, early intervention specialist with an experience of 20 years in adult education, spoke on the 'Global challenges for specially gifted children'. She said, "Children with special needs deserve full and equal access to education and should not be separated from the rest of the students. Education is the equaliser in our society and one should not discriminate students on any basis."

On being asked by a principal as to how a teacher will ideal with children with special needs, Thompson said, "We need to closely look into the work of the child and how he learns. We need to give more time and change the lesson plan as per their needs."

Indrani Ganguly, principal, Shri Shikshayatan School, spoke on 'Cross cultural education a means to reach global success'. "Education is the the lens through which people see the world and culture is the shared system of values, beliefs and a pattern of behaviour among a group," said Ganguly.

While Ganguly highlighted some of the strategies needed to incorporate cultural learning in the K-12 schools, John Bagul, principal, South City International School, spoke on the importance of international education. Bagul said, "Our education system depends a lot on rote learning. International curriculum provides the flexibility and choice for learning. In this global world the learning process should have a blend of both the east and the west."

"Young people should learn to interact and view the world through cultural perspective," pointed out Sohini Das, cultural affairs specialist, American Center and moderator of the seminar.

While BSS School principal Sunita Sen felt global education was a way to reach out to people, Lorraine Mirza, principal, La Martiniere for Girls, said that one needed to be more tolerant and positive in dealing with students.

Seminar on transforming education for global needs

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