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Schools can play a pivotal role in supporting refugees and welcoming them into the community, fostering an environment of inclusion, understanding, and empathy. Some examples of ideas that could be helpful –
– Establish a buddy system where current students partner with refugee students to help them get used to the new school environment. Provide additional EAL and learning support classes to help with overcoming language barriers, ensuring refugee students can fully participate in school activities.
– Implement school-wide campaigns to raise awareness about the challenges refugees face while also celebrating their culture and identity. This can include hosting guest speakers, organizing workshops, and having themed celebration days in school.
By taking these actions, schools can create a welcoming and supportive environment for refugee students, helping them to integrate into the community and thrive. This not only benefits the refugee students but also enriches the entire school community by fostering a culture of diversity, empathy, and global citizenship.
Hi Barbara, really good thoughts in your post, I also found some of the videos to be quite thought provoking and actually surprising, not always in a positive way, about educational inequality globally and the harmful impacts this can have on children’s lives. I agree that a project-based approach is a nice methodology to explore the SDG’s and could be a good opportunity to integrate the use of IT.
The Sustainable Development Goal 13 focuses on climate action, aiming to combat climate change and its impacts. Children, both locally in Ireland and globally, are significantly affected by climate change. Increased exposure to extreme weather events, disrupted education due to higher flooding or snow days, and long-term health impacts from pollution are some of the critical challenges they face.
In Ireland, students can be encouraged to support SDG 13 through various actions. Implementing school-wide initiatives like tree planting, recycling programs, and energy-saving campaigns. These initiatives not only contribute to climate action but also instill a sense of responsibility and teamwork among students. Integrate climate education into the curriculum across subjects. For example, in geography, discuss the impacts of climate change on different regions or in science, explore renewable energy sources.
By taking these steps, students in Ireland can become active participants in the global movement for climate action. This aligns with the ESD to 2030 Priority Action Area 5 by accelerating local level actions, fostering a generation that is knowledgeable about sustainability and committed to making a positive difference in their communities and beyond.
Hi Colin, I agree with your ideas and have experienced similar situations before. I find it interesting to reflect for myself on attending an all-boys primary school and how gender norms affected those group situations, especially compared to now teaching in a mixed primary school.
Gender stereotypes can significantly impact children in school, shaping their self-perception, academic interests, and social interactions. These stereotypes often dictate what is considered appropriate behavior or suitable subjects for boys and girls, limiting their potential and reinforcing traditional gender roles.
I recall a scenario where students being put in mixed-gender groups of 9 for a sporting event, with a combination of 5 girls-4 boys or 5 boys-4 girls being permissible. However, the presumption in the classroom was that it was supposedly obvious that the combination would be 5 boys-4 girls as boys were better at sport, thus reinforcing yet another harmful gender stereotype.
Development education methodologies can help combat these stereotypes by promoting inclusivity and challenging traditional gender roles. By integrating discussions on gender equality and providing diverse role models, Development Education can broaden students’ perspectives and inspire them to pursue their interests regardless of gender. Collaborative projects that emphasize teamwork and diverse contributions can also help break down gender barriers.
In practice, this could involve ensuring equal participation in all activities, using gender-neutral language, and highlighting achievements of individuals from all genders in various fields. Open-ended lessons on gender equality can encourage students to question stereotypes and develop a more inclusive mindset. By fostering an environment where all students feel valued and capable, Development Education can play a crucial role in diminishing the impact of gender stereotypes in education.
From reviewing the paper, Ehigie (2021) underscores the significance of Development Education in fostering global citizenship. Development Education equips learners with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to understand and address global issues, promoting a sense of responsibility and engagement in creating a just and sustainable world.
Development Education is essential as it cultivates critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of intertwined global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. By integrating Development Education into the primary curriculum, we prepare students to become informed and active global citizens who can contribute meaningfully to society.
In my teaching, I would include Development Education by incorporating global issues into lessons across the curriculum, promoting collaborative projects that address real-world problems such as helping local charities and organisations, and encouraging community engagement through guest speakers or awareness days. To encourage colleagues, I would share resources and successful examples of Development Education activities, and create a supportive environment where teachers can collaborate and share ideas.
Additionally, integrating Development Education into school-wide activities, such as inter-cultural days can further enhance its impact. By fostering a school culture that values and actively promotes Development Education, teachers can collectively nurture children to become compassionate, informed, and proactive global citizens in the future.
