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Changing Horizons in Geography Education - HERODOT Network ...

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• To <strong>in</strong>crease our knowledge and understand<strong>in</strong>g of Citizenship issues <strong>in</strong> a develop<strong>in</strong>gworld context.• To provide opportunities for teach<strong>in</strong>g global citizenship issues to current studentson the BA, PGCE and <strong>in</strong>-service tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g programmes.• To provide materials and contexts to <strong>in</strong>form future Geographical AssociationConference sessions and Publications.• To develop of a range of contacts around the world for future network<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>gpossible exchanges <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g university and school staff and students from theK<strong>in</strong>gston area and Kerala.• To <strong>in</strong>crease teacher knowledge through <strong>in</strong>-service tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g sessions with localpartnership schools.There is both state and private provision school <strong>in</strong> Kerala which overall providesuniversal education up to the age of 14. Literacy levels are the highest <strong>in</strong> India at98% and there are large numbers of students study<strong>in</strong>g post 14 and at higher educationlevels. The government supports large numbers of children <strong>in</strong> the private sector. TheState of Kerala has a long tradition of <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> <strong>Education</strong> and Primary HealthCare and spends approx. 60% of their budget on these two priorities, considerablyhigher than any other state <strong>in</strong> India.There is a strong culture of research <strong>in</strong> education <strong>in</strong> Kerala and comb<strong>in</strong>ed withthe long tradition of active political <strong>in</strong>volvement, community and citizenship issuesare popular topics for research. Kerala is also well known <strong>in</strong> India for the promotionof women <strong>in</strong> educational opportunities and there is a long history with<strong>in</strong> families <strong>in</strong>the south for female education. This is clearly one of the ma<strong>in</strong> reasons for the highlevels of literacy and educational achievement <strong>in</strong> the state.Global awareness issues are covered <strong>in</strong> the social science and geography coursesfor tra<strong>in</strong>ee teachers. There is no specific course on citizenship, but aspects are taughtvia other subjects particularly through the geography curriculum. Political andcommunity literacy are very prom<strong>in</strong>ent topics with<strong>in</strong> the education programmes. Insecondary schools for ages 12 to 18 there is a broad curriculum available with studentsspecialis<strong>in</strong>g post 14. Global awareness is covered through social studies, geographyand whole school events, this <strong>in</strong>cludes policies related to the design of the build<strong>in</strong>gs,energy use, nature studies, ra<strong>in</strong> harvest<strong>in</strong>g and landscap<strong>in</strong>g. The school has a verychild centred approach <strong>in</strong> their teach<strong>in</strong>g and learn<strong>in</strong>g programmes. Many schools <strong>in</strong>Kerala operate on good environmental pr<strong>in</strong>ciples with recycl<strong>in</strong>g, plant<strong>in</strong>g, conservation,ra<strong>in</strong> harvest<strong>in</strong>g and energy sav<strong>in</strong>g policies be<strong>in</strong>g part of the curriculum. Thechildren and students are encouraged to develop their own <strong>in</strong>terests and to participate<strong>in</strong> the communal life of their schools. Some schools have also established l<strong>in</strong>ks withsecondary schools <strong>in</strong> the UK that have fostered exchanges of staff and students.Teach<strong>in</strong>g and Learn<strong>in</strong>g and Citizenship <strong>Education</strong> <strong>in</strong> KeralaThe State of Kerala and the population have clearly put a high value on education.The people are literate, well educated and aspire to a high level of achievement. Thecurricula at all levels have an outward look<strong>in</strong>g progressive approach to teach<strong>in</strong>g273

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