Pune Schools Foster Global Learning Through Partnerships with Foreign Institutions

Pune, 1st November 2023: A significant percentage, ranging from 15 to 20 per cent, of schools in Pune are actively engaged in various educational activities in partnership with foreign institutions and schools. These initiatives aim to facilitate knowledge sharing among students, promote cultural-linguistic exchanges, and provide teachers with world-class training.

Subhash Parmar, President of Acharya Shri Vijay Vallabh School, explained that the school has been conducting special activities with countries like Brazil, South Korea, Egypt, Philippines, and Germany for students in grades VIII to IX over the last four years. These activities include cultural-linguistic exchange and knowledge sharing in subjects like language, science, and mathematics. Such interactions enhance students’ confidence and communication skills, especially in foreign languages like English.

Priyadarshini School and Junior College have established a direct Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambridge University to offer career counselling to Class XI-XII students. Dr. Gayatri Jadhav, the school’s principal, highlighted that they have been conducting educational and cultural exchange activities in collaboration with the British Council for students in grades V to X over the past three years. Additionally, for students seeking higher education abroad, they have partnered with Cambridge University to provide guidance on university selection and application processes.

Sanskriti School, located in Bhukum Campus, annually collaborates with schools from different countries through the “International Dimensions in Schools” (IDS) initiative by the British Council. These partnerships involve cultural, linguistic, and educational exchanges, with a specific focus on German language education through an agreement with the Goethe Institute Maxmuller Bhawan.

These initiatives are enhancing the educational experience for both students and teachers. Schools are gaining international-level training in teaching methods and learning how to adapt to different education systems. Students are benefiting from increased confidence through interactions with their international peers, gaining exposure to foreign languages, and learning about diverse cultures. These collaborations also enable the sharing of effective teaching practices, fostering a practical approach to subjects like science and mathematics.

Schools of various boards, including English medium IB and IGCSE, are increasingly forming Memoranda of Understanding with educational institutions in different countries. Recognizing this growing trend, the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) has launched a special initiative to introduce the Cambridge and Finland education systems to private schools in the state. These systems emphasize experiential learning and practical application of knowledge over rote learning.

Rajendra Singh, Vice President of NISA, highlighted that NISA is conducting various workshops and activities to help schools implement this innovative teaching approach. The goal is to provide students with a broader perspective and practical skills that transcend traditional classroom-based learning.

In Pune alone, there are approximately 3,500 private schools among the estimated 43,799 in the state of Maharashtra, underscoring the significance of these international collaborations in education.