March 2006

University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) the world’s largest provider of international qualifications for 14-19 year olds, brought together UK educational experts and teachers from across India for a seminar – ‘Helping Students to Become Better Learners’. The seminar also saw the launch of a new regional heads’ association for South Asia.

With a changing global economy in which India is playing a bigger role, there is a rising demand for higher educational qualifications. The experts at today’s seminar emphasised the need to personalise learning for their students so that they develop skills for now and for the future. Among those present were renowned educationalists Professor David Hargreaves, Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge and Associate Director of the Specialist Schools Trust and Ms. Ann Puntis Chief Executive, University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).

Md. Fazal, Governor of Maharashtra graced the occasion with his august presence and he spoke of growth in higher education and path towards developing more efficient modules of higher education in Maharashtra. Rod Pryde, Director British Council India, opened the ceremony.

Prof. David Hargreaves, a top educationalist from the UK, conducted the seminar where he discussed the educational challenges of the 21st Century, and in particular strategies which could be used for optimising the individual learning of students.

Prof Hargreaves said: “The challenge of the 21st century for us as education professionals is not only to impart knowledge, but also to give the skills for students to become better learners – and take advantage of opportunities offered by a changing world. It’s about personalising learning. Teachers in India are very alive to these issues.”

Prof Hargreaves further encouraged teachers to reflect on their teaching strategies. They might even seek student feedback so they can reflect on their own learning in the classroom.

He advocated the need for teachers to equip their students with skills to learn. In the 21st Century, education is moving away from teaching students texts verbatim and moving towards teaching them skills to enable them to continue the learning process as they move through life. Teaching of critical thinking skills and problem solving skills is more crucial in today’s schools than learning books verbatim.

Ann Puntis, CIE’s Chief Executive, said: “I know from experience as a teacher that a class of students will have very many different learning goals, learning styles and learning needs. David’s seminar addressed ways in which teachers can personalise learning for their students. It was wonderful to see so many teachers here today from schools across India.”

At the seminar, University of Cambridge International Examinations also launched a new regional heads' association for South Asia, to include all heads of CIE schools. The association will act as a means of sharing best teaching and administrative practice among CIE schools, as well as guide CIE in policy decisions for the area.

Dr. Mark Bartholomew, CIE’s Regional Director for South Asia, said: “This will give schools an important role in shaping the development of Cambridge provision in the region and foster the sharing of ideas among our schools.”

CIE has been experiencing enormous growth in terms of the number of schools in Asia taking Cambridge qualifications.

At the beginning of 2005 there were fewer than 40 schools registered to teach Cambridge qualifications in India. A year later, there are nearly 200. Cambridge is sharing its expertise with local partners in State Boards of Education through programmes of teacher training.