Sunny var key, an education entrepreneur from Kerala and the creator of the Global Teacher Prize, unveiled a brand-new global representative organization for independent schools on Wednesday as part of a knowledge-sharing push to enhance educational achievements.
As a collaborator in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4—ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030—the new Global Independent Schools Association (G ISA) is being planned. In order to be heard, Var key urged the 340,000 or more independent schools in India to join this new effort.
“India’s huge variety of independent schools are shouldering a huge responsibility for educating the nation’s children,” said Var key, founder of GI SA.
Any policy discussion on education or the future economy that doesn’t include the independent sector is missing out on a vital perspective from schools that, each day, see in sharp detail the challenges and the opportunities experienced by India’s young people.
The effectiveness of attempts to improve education around the world will be increased by this first-hand knowledge of educating kids from very diverse backgrounds, he said.
The new GI SA initiative aims to draw on their experience teaching students from all backgrounds, as well as their knowledge and skills in the field. "It is crucial to encourage the independent sector to speak out for the common good. For individuals without a good education and future-ready skills, the economy of tomorrow will be merciless. Vital expertise will remain siloed and solutions will be lost unless the independent sector joins others - governments, business, NGOs - to figure out how we educate and skill up a new generation," said Andreas Schleicher, Director of Education and Skills for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in support of the new GI SA initiative.
Around 350 million children worldwide are educated in independent schools, according to UNESCO estimates.
Such organizations are encouraged to join GI SA in order to co-create resources, gain access to cutting-edge studies, reports, creative workshops, and events. In addition, GI SA hopes to host an annual conference where top thinkers, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and governments may come together for high-level discussions on how to quickly achieve great education for all.
"By working together, we can make an even greater impact on education, from important areas like supporting teacher professional development to the latest uses of technology in teaching and learning," said Andrew Fitzmaurice, CEO of Nord Anglia Education and Chairman of the GI SA Executive Board.
The association's call to action seeks to attract members from all over the world, including those from single-classroom private schools in low-income countries, schools run by a charity or foundation, and schools part of a multinational chain.
According to recent World Bank data, more than 50% of secondary school students and 13% of primary school students in India are enrolled in an independent institution - including not-for-profit, profit-making institutions run by a private body such as a non-governmental organisation (NGO), religious body, special interest group, foundation, or business enterprise.
Varkey urged India's independent schools, which number approximately 340,000, to join this new mission to make their voices heard.
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