28 February 2007.

THE WORLD CLASSROOM
Developing global partnerships in education

Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney is letting his constituents know that there is now a guide available for schools in Stafford constituency that might wish to make links with schools in poor parts of the world. The guide has been put together by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, and the Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn. The guide is packed with sources of advice and support for schools in one easy little booklet.

David Kidney says that he hopes there will be a lot of interest in making links with schools in developing countries from schools in the Stafford area:

“Partnerships between schools help children to exchange ideas, understand different cultures and develop a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. They can open children’s eyes and help them to better understand the challenges we face in an increasingly inter-dependent world, and how we can work together to overcome them.

“Through school links, UK pupils learn that children their own age in other countries have much the same hopes and aspirations as they do. But they also learn just how limited the provision of education is in many countries. Across the world, almost 80 million children – most of them girls – do not go to school. Education is a basic human right and is vital in the fight against extreme poverty in developing countries.”

In April 2006, the Government announced that the UK will spend £8.5 billion on aid for education over the next 10 years. In addition, Hilary Benn’s Global School Partnerships provides support, including grant funding, to school wishing to participate in the programme. The funding for this programme was doubled in April 2006 to £7.5 million over three years.

David Kidney is going to write to all schools in his constituency to let them know about the guide. He also plans to take part in a roadshow of events to publicise the Government’s programmes later this year. Constituents who would like to know more are invited to contact David Kidney direct.