BACKGROUND
The partnership between Richmond College, Galle, Sri Lanka and Easing old School, North Yorkshire, England was established in May 2006. As a result of the Reciprocal Visit Grant Mr. Steve Mummery, Head, Humanities, Easing old School visited Richmond College and came up with this novel idea which is an ideal example for a curriculum related collaborative project which covers a number of Global Dimension Themes.
SUBJECTS
Geography, English, Civics
GLOBAL DIMENSION THEMES
Sustainable Development, Globalization and Interdependence, Peace and Conflict, Social Justice & Equity
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
raise awareness among students about irrigation issues, economic issues, environmental issues and political issues in partners’ countries
ACTIVITIES
Role plays and Debate about the development of a large dam project in the partner’s country.
Forty students from Grade 10 (15 years old) in Richmond College organized a debate to look into this issue. There were two teams of four students and they expressed their views for and against the construction of a reservoir in North Yorkshire. The opposing team was able to prove that in comparison with the huge amount of expenditure and the environmental loss such a project would not contribute to cope up with the upcoming economic crisis. Finally the audience also joined the discussion and they prepared some impressive newspaper front pages including their findings and conclusion to be sent to the Easingwold School.
In Easingwold School they implemented the project in the form of a Role play. Students expressed themselves for and against building a dam across Yan Oya, in Sri Lanka in the point of view of a politician, an engineer. an environmentalist, a celebrity and a representative of the Tamil Government. After heated arguments, some groups have decided to support the project whereas some others have decided to damn this idea as it would rather have a negative impact on the communities around in particular and on the whole country in general. All their findings, opinions and conclusions came to Sri Lanka in the form of very attractive newspaper front pages and they are of immense use as teaching materials.
EVALUATION
This project has challenged a number of stereo types and mis-understandings that they had about each other. Basically UK students had introduced Sri Lanka as 'The Tear drop of Asia’ and this made Sri Lankan students write to their pen friends they would be happy to be called as 'The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’. They also enlightened the UK teacher on the issue of the Tamil Government. Eventually this marvelous project has enhanced the students' ability to make persuasive speeches, creative presentation and critical thinking. Most importantly it is an ongoing project as every year new groups of students from both schools get involved in it with great enthusiasm. It is one of the collaborative projects of the International School Award Action Plan of Richmond College.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I do appreciate the active involvement of the students of both schools. I also wish to express my sincere thanks to Mr Steve Mummery for introducing this innovative project idea and also to Mrs Deepthi Wijesinghe for giving this opportunity to share this great experience with the others.
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