Update on Covid-19 from the Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning team

On behalf of the British Council and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), we wanted to let you know about some changes to the Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme in light of the impact of Covid-19.

We understand that this is a difficult time for schools, teachers, parents, young people and all those involved in education all over the world.  

Due to the overriding importance of the wellbeing, health and safety of our programme participants, and in line with the Nigeria government and health advice we have postponed all face-to-face components of the programme until further notice. This includes partnership visits for teachers and face-to-face professional development courses. 

However, we wanted to draw your attention to the digital resources that can still be accessed through the programme. Our online professional development courses are open to teachers and we also have a guide to support virtual communication with teachers in your partner schools. Our free classroom resources are packed with flexible activities for young people to explore global issues, whether they are still in school or now learning from home. 

If you haven’t already, sign up for our newsletter to be kept up to date in the coming weeks on new online activities and classroom resources we have under development or check back on our website soon. 

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions on how we can provide advice and support, please contact us.

You can read more about what Covid-19 means for the British Council in Nigeria and visit ncdc.gov.ng  for the most up to date guidance from the Nigeria government.

Connecting Classrooms in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the programme has two primary aims.

  1. To introduce an international component to local curricula. This is achieved through linking with international schools, providing an opportunity for teachers and scholars to learn about other countries and cultures.
  2. To offer professional development opportunities to teachers. This is achieved through international teacher networks that allow for the sharing of knowledge, skills and teaching methods.

Our success so far

From 2010 to 2014, Connecting Classrooms in Nigeria offered professional development to 3500 teachers and engaged 15,000 students in joint curricula projects with their peers from the UK. 

Connecting Classrooms is one of the best things that could have happened to my school. Personally, I can boast of an improved output as a teacher and an administrator as a result of my involvement. I have made new friends in the UK and in Zimbabwe. My teachers have broadened their horizon and better teaching methods have been shared and adopted among colleagues in the UK, and Zimbabwe. My students are not left out. They know more about Global issues through the different club activities and are conscious that what goes on in Nigeria can affect the rest of the world for instance a felled tree in Nigeria affect the environment in England and Sudan. The cultural exchange has also had its benefits. One of my students mentioned the other day how amazed they were to realise there is no yam in Zimbabwe, even though it is an Africa country. Zimbabweans only get to see and read about yam in books. – Kola Oseh, Vice Principal, Government Secondary School, Jiwa

How to get involved

  1. Register your school with British Council Schools Online.
  2. Find one UK and one African school to partner with.
  3. Join the Connecting Classrooms teacher network.
  4. Access free teacher training materials.

Core Skills Training programme - Register now.

The training packages give school leaders and teachers the tools and approaches they need to ensure effective core skills provision in their schools, including strategies for planning, monitoring and improving teaching and learning and for mapping core skills across the curriculum.

For further details about the training programme, please visit the Core Skills training page.

In today’s world, it’s vital that young citizens know their place in the world – teaching them about global issues is imperative. Our global education programme for schools, Connecting Classrooms, is specifically designed to establish long-term partnerships between schools in the UK and more than 60 other countries worldwide, helping to create culturally inclusive classrooms.

We aim to give all young people the opportunity to succeed in a globalised society. Connecting Classrooms enables students and their teachers to:

  • understand issues of worldwide importance
  • gain a sense of social responsibility
  • develop skills to succeed in the global economy.

Through these partnerships, the programme develops understanding and trust between young people in different societies, creating a safer and more connected world for the future.

The programme is managed by the British Council and jointly funded with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

External links

Share this