Feature

Connecting Classrooms Project:
A reciprocal multidimensional approach

Najmus Sehar

CONNECTING Classrooms is a global programme that creates partnership between clusters of schools in the UK and clusters of schools in other countries. We regard ourselves fortunate since we got the opportunity to work under this project. The three schools of Isle of Wight, UK (Ryde High School, Mayfield Middle School, Green Mount Primary School) and the five schools of Dhaka City (Viqarunnisa Noon School & College, Govt. Laboratory High School, Willes Little Flower & College, Agrani School & College and Uddayan Uchcha Madhyamik School) have build up a unique partnership among themselves through this project.

The Project has unveiled a wide international perspective which is essential for making a person complete and confident about the future. As a school coordinator from Viqarunnisa Noon School & College, I can say that the project has enhanced my vision. About 500 students of Viqarunnisa Noon School & College are the members of connecting classrooms projects. The first year, which was packed with various activities has ended successfully.

There were exchange visits of the teachers of both the countries that focused on building positive and harmonious relationships with each other. Through these visits letters, cards made by the students themselves, curriculum-based assignments etc. were exchanged which helped to understand the diversity of their own and promoted mutual understanding. Students under teachers' guidance made power-point presentations on introducing schools, celebrations of traditional and cultural festivities like Pahela Baishakh, International Mother Language Day and Falgun ceremony which were also exchanged with the Partner Schools. Bangladeshi students watched UK students' presentation on Guy Fawkes Day, Halloween Day etc. Direct contact through E-mail has given a chance to both the students and the teachers to practice and improve English language skills. Teachers are getting professionally skilled by following the learner-centered activities in the class. Hence they are contributing to bring international dimension to education. Not only that but also they are realizing the importance of acquiring the knowledge of computer know how.

Connecting classrooms project is a way of providing children the learning experiences away from the school to broader horizon. With a view to making global citizens, the project aims to raise awareness for global issues like, climate change, terrorism, drug addiction, women repression etc. Being inspired, our students raised their voices against 'sound pollution' in last June. They made a Human Tie on the issue and arranged an art competition. They also took initiatives to collect the waste papers themselves from the school compound to encourage others to do the same. The enthusiastic students brought flower plants according to the choices which they planted and watered themselves to make a garden of their own. The students of Viqarunnisa Noon School & College and Govt. Laboratory School took part in the questionnaires on 'climate change' arranged by the British Council and gave their personal opinions. It is our pride that some of their responses were included in the BBC Climate Change Interaction Map. Recently, students of connecting classrooms took part in the competition of 100 words play. Their contributions were great and were highly praised by the judges from UK. Tashmeem Zaman, a student of Class ten from Viqarunnisa Noon School and & College said, “By stepping into the 3rd millenium and into the offset of 21st century, globalization through Connecting Classrooms Projects is a brilliant step.” Another student of the same school, Hridita Ashraf said, “Connecting Classrooms Project is a great way to be connected with the globe and to work together globally knowing each other as being global citizen, because the more there is unity, the more there is development of the globe” Farhan Masuk of Willes Little Flower added, “The Connecting Classrooms has taught me many things which I might not have learned by reading text books.” The project has revealed the opportunities to be active citizens to contribute to the development of society as well as the world out side.

(The writer is a Assistant Teacher and Viqarunnisa Noon School & College, Cluster Co-ordinator, Project Connecting Classrooms)