The British Council’s Schools Now! Conference 2024, attended among others by 28 delegates from Bangladesh in Cape Town from February 27-29, has equipped educators and decision-makers with the strategies necessary to enhance the educational experience for students worldwide.
Themed around “Enriching your curriculum,” the conference brought education experts from around the world to present innovations and case studies in leadership, well-being and safeguarding approaches, and the integration of technology in digital learning, reads a statement.
The conference focused on empowering subject experts within the school community to drive curriculum development and delivery.
The conference was attended by over 1,000 school leaders both onsite and virtually and served as a platform for fostering collaboration and sharing best practices and insights in international education.
Representatives from the British Council, academia, Cherry Blossoms International School and College, DPS STS School, Earth House Alternative School, Juvenile English Medium School, Manarat Dhaka International School and College, Maple Leaf International School, Mastermind English Medium School, Oxford International School, PLAYPEN, Premier School Dhaka, Scholastica, Sir John Wilson School, and Sunnydale Bangladesh attended the conference from Bangladesh.
Through a series of engaging keynote sessions, immersive workshops and panel discussions, delegates explored innovative teaching approaches, curriculum enrichment strategies and the integration of technology in education.
“The spirit of Schools Now! is to establish global connections within the educational community, exploring insights and innovations in international education. By addressing emerging themes, we aim to empower educators to navigate the complexities of the shifting education landscape and drive positive outcomes for students,” said Martin Lowder, head of Global Exams Services, British Council.
Maxim Raiman, exams director at the British Council in Bangladesh, said: “The British Council Partner Schools program supports over 175 partner schools in Bangladesh to deliver international school qualifications on behalf of UK awarding bodies. Our educational support enables schools to enhance the learning experience for students, improving educational outcomes.”
An expert panel on AI in education, comprising Kudzayi Tarisayi, senior lecturer, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town; Reham Ali, director of Middle and High School Education, Nermine Ismail International Schools, Egypt; and Jo Parkes discussed valuable tips into how schools can ensure students are prepared for future needs dictated through the use of AI.
It was eye-opening to see nearly 90% of conference delegates call AI a friend, not foe, signalling widespread optimism towards AI’s potential benefits, says the statement.
