| During 2019, BOTAWA was awarded a Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning grant from the British Council.Five teachers from Tanzania visited BOTAWA schools in Wales. Their focus was on developing understanding of Global Goals, with regard to the Rights of the Child and developing the role and impact of “Pupil Voice” through Schools Councils in identifying and meeting students needs within school.Teachers presented on UNICEF SDG in their schools and clusters.Primary Students identified “Needs and Wants” using UNICEF Rights Respecting schools resources. Secondary students extended this by using the UNICEF Seen and HEARD. Students carried out an assessment in their school to any identify areas of concern highlighted by the “Needs and Wants” exercise.Teachers and students prepared digital presentations on their findings for exchange between clusters and countries.All students became more aware of SDGs and differences between needs and wants. Students identified any areas of concern in their own school where their rights are not currently met or they or particular groups of students face challenges. e.g. those with disabilities, bullying, those living in poverty or with air pollution. Discussion of need moved beyond beyond physical goods, food and water. Schools embraced the vision that being rights respecting and working to uphold their own and other’s rights is an empowering and positive experience for all involved.The project raised awareness/empathy for the different challenges pupils in different circumstances may face. It also challenged global stereotypes about Wales=wealth=all children’s rights are guaranteed and Tanzania=poverty= basic rights denied. |
