How can teachers and school systems respond to the…

 

By Andreas Schleicher

Director, OECD Directorate for Education and Skills

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, so do the risks we face. The COVID-19 pandemic. Has not stopped at national borders, and affected people regardless of nationality, level of education, income or gender. But that has not been true for its consequences, which have hit the most vulnerable hardest. Education is no exception. Those from privileged backgrounds quickly found their way around closed school doors to alternative learning opportunities, supported by their parents and eager to learn. Too often, those from disadvantaged backgrounds have remained shut out if the school shuts down. So this pandemic has exposes the many inequities in our education systems – from the broadband and computers needed for online education, through the supportive environments needed to focus on learning, up to our failure to attract talented teachers to the most challenging classrooms.

But as these inequities are amplified in this time of crisis, this moment also holds the possibility that we won’t return to the status quo when things return to “normal”. It is the nature of our collective and systemic responses to the disruptions that will determine how we are affected by them. There is a lot we can do together. Where school closures are needed in the short term, we can mitigate their impact for learners, families and educators, particularly for those in the most marginalised groups, who don’t have access to digital learning resources or lack the resilience and engagement to learn on their own. We can collaborate internationally to mutualise open online educational resources and digital learning platforms, and encourage technology companies to join this effort. We can rapidly enhance digital learning opportunities for teachers and encourage teacher collaboration beyond boarders. And we can use the momentum to reshape curricula and learning environments to the needs of the 21st century.

China was hit first by Covid-19, but reacted fast. Schools were given the highest priority even when financial resources nationwide were tightening, with a ‘green channel’ ensuring quality and efficiency in rapid procurement during the emergency. The national cloud platform which China launched, offering digital learning resources to students in schools free of charge across the country, has set a good example that learning is not a place, but an activity. And it was not just the government which mobilised resources, a wide range of contributors were stepping forward to provide everything from free wi-fi and devices for students through innovative instructional systems to social support for teachers and schools. This shows how the future of education can become a whole-of-society project. This document sets out the approaches that other countries are pursuing and how far they are advanced on their way.

Webinar: Covid-19 and the Dental Practice

 

Dr. Willian Cheung (Hong Kong) in conjunction with the International College of Dentists presents on the impact of Covid-19 and the Dental Practice.  Please pre-register and join via Zoom on Wednesday August 12th @ 9:30pm MYT.

Meeting ID: 813 1437 7166

Password: 003991

How to understand the us immigration and customs enforcement…

About the Speaker

Maka Hutson practices immigration law at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Dallas, TX.

Before law school, she served as a student and scholar advisor at a major research university for seven years.

She has experience practicing all aspects of immigration law, including business immigration, family immigration and removal defense.

She focuses mainly on employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas and advises employers on I-9 compliance and immigration-related hiring practices.

Maka maintains an active pro bono practice and represents asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking and crimes.

She is a graduate of Moscow State Linguistic University and the University of Texas School of Law.

Agenda:

– (5 min) Introduction by webinar host Ms LIU XiaoXia (Former Vice Principal at Beijing Royal School; M.A., Columbia University)
– (30 min) Speech by Ms Maka Hutson (Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP)
– (40 min) Q&A session

FWE launches a webinar series on global education with…

How will the global pandemic shape the future of education?

On June 30th at 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-4), the Forum for World Education (FWE) will return to the global audience with the launch of its first webinar series in 2020. The initial offering, titled, “Education Disrupted, Education Rebuilt – How does the pandemic shape the future of education,” was designed by Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director of Education and Skills, to address some of the key critical challenges and opportunities facing every country and community around the globe in the coming months. Schleicher will also present an overview of COVID-19 responses from different education systems from the OECD. New York Times Foreign Affairs columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, Thomas Friedman will host and moderate this initial webinar, which will feature in-depth discussions about the development and innovation of education for the future with ministers of education from different countries, policy makers, scholars and extraordinary young leaders. John Palfrey, president of the MacArthur Foundation, and a noted scholar on how young people learn in the digital era, will introduce the webinar, which is open to the public. Those interested in the topic and the webinar series can visit the official website of the Forum for World Education (www.fweforum.org), register and watch it via livestream.

Starting from early 2020, the sudden hit of the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the economic development, social security, and public health systems of every country. It also made us realize how fragile our current education systems are when dealing with a global lockdown. How can we adapt our future education to respond to the unpredictable crisis and challenges? What measures can we take to prevent the worsening situation of education inequality? How can we cultivate global citizens that respect lives, put people first, and work together for a better future ahead? In response to these many questions, FWE developed this webinar series ”Where Do We Go From Here? –Meet the Challenges Posed by COVID-19 Pandemic to the Future of Our Worldwide Education Infrastructure” which will be held from June to September in three sessions. It will be open to the global audience via livestream.

To provide a global perspective on the impact of COVID-19 on education, FWE has assembled an international panel of speakers, including: Dr. Cheng Davis, Founder and President of the Forum for World Education; Dr. Siva Kumari, Director-General of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB); Rod Paige, the former Secretary of Education of the United States; Alejandro Tiana Ferrer, former Spanish Minister of Education; Olli-Pekka Heinonen, former Finnish Minister of Education; Franco Mosso, CEO of Teach For Peru; Earl Martin Phalen, founder and CEO of Phalen Leadership Academy; Orly Friedman, the founder of Red Bridge, and others to be announced. Among these experts are a cadre of dynamic young leaders who also will share their stories of how they engaged in providing educational and technological support to governments, families, and schools during the pandemic in their respective countries.

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The non-profit organization Forum for World Education (FWE) was established in 2019 in Cambridge, Massachusetts and with operations in major cities throughout the world. It is the first organization that is dedicated to providing an inclusive setting for global business leaders, former and current education decision makers and world-renowned scholars to engage in critical conversations about the future of education and the workforce for all students. It seeks to transform education systems to better equip the new generation with the knowledge, skills and mindset for a challenging and rapidly changing world.

On December 3rd, 2019 the Forum for World Education (FWE) held its first annual conference at the OECD headquarters in Paris. The forum adopts an invitation system. The guest speakers included Jack Ma, the founding chairman of Alibaba; Princess Laurentian of the Netherlands; Dhanin Chearavanont, senior chairman of Thailand CP Group; Andreas Schleicher, Director of Education and Skills of OECD; Dr. Cheng Davis, founder and president of Forum for World Education, etc. More than 300 leaders and policy makers, experts and scholars from the United States, China, Singapore, Finland, Britain, Switzerland, New Zealand, Brazil and other countries joined together to explore and debate the future development of education. For more information about “Education Disrupted, Education Rebuilt – How does the pandemic shape the future of education,” and FWE, please contact Grace Na at [email protected]

Setting out on your adventurous journey with courage and…

Setting out on your adventurous journey with courage and confidence:

Editor’s note:
The graduates of 2020 at Beijing Royal School experienced a special graduation season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aiming to provide a comprehensive education that cultivates the intellectual talents, train future leaders with moral integrity and prepare students with global vision, BRS witnessed its graduates of 2020 with success. They have received 1047 offers from world-class universities. The number of the offers has set a new record in BRS’ history. As the chief principal, Mr. Wang Guangfa delivered a speech of congratulations and encouragement, with his best wishes to the graduates of 2020 on June 7.

My fellow teachers and students,

Dear parents, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning!

I miss you so much, my dear students at Beijing Royal School. It is indeed a pity that I am on the other side of ocean beyond miles and cannot come to join you for this commencement because of the difficulty in obtaining an air ticket. I hereby ask Mr. Cen Jianjun to host the ceremony and confer diplomas on my behalf.

Today’s graduation ceremony is held in Chinese traditional style, with a cheerful and heartfelt warm atmosphere. The time-honored Hanfu clothing is decent and dignified, demonstrating the essence of Chinese etiquette. It is also a manifestation of the mission of Beijing Royal School—to inculcate moral values, focus on student-centered education, fuse Chinese & Western approaches, and inspire students to succeed.

My dear students, today is your day. It is filled with happiness and pride, and will remain in your memories forever. I hereby send you my warmest congratulations!

I feel happy for you wholeheartedly, not only for the reason that you’ve received offers from world’s leading universities, but also for what I’ve witnessed. I have witnessed the profound changes you experienced during the past three years at BRS.
First and foremost, you have been safe and sound; and you have grasped the “Four Pillars of Education” proposed by UNESCO，learned to perceive the world from an international perspective, knowing that there are always new ideas and new solutions to pull yourself out of multiple difficulties.

Knowledge changes your destiny, and education shapes your future. Though hard work will continue, I know you are determined to set out for your destination.

My dear fellow students, as you’ve turned 18 this year, I hope that you can develop a strong commitment to your country and to the world; take an unbiased stand at the changes and conflicts both home and abroad.

In the past decades, China has undergone a world of changes and development. But recent disputes and conflicts in regional, bilateral and multilateral circumstances have presented you with new challenges. While the international community shares the dividend brought about by China’s rise and development, countries with different political ideologies may feel worried or even uneasy in global competitions.

The sudden outbreak of Covid-19 has changed the world. It didn’t take too long before the situation in China made a favorable turn thanks to our collective efforts and wisdom. As the pandemic shook the world, China never hesitated to share its experience and send its support to the rest of the world despite different voices.

On the other hand, factors such as unilateralism and racism emerged. Big power games and conflicts, bilateral and multilateral relations, difficulties and disputes arising in politics, economics, technologies, talents, education and the rule of law, all lead to a reshuffle of the international order.

Within China, the society is also undergoing substantial changes. We embraced the returns of Hong Kong and Macau in 1997 and 1999, and we aspired to further unification of the Chinese nation. The Anti-Secession Law adopted in 2005 and the National Security Legislation on HKSAR ratified at NPC and CPPCC meetings in 2020 both lay a solid foundation for China’s long-term peace and stability. When faced with uncertainty, I hope that you keep calm, take an unbiased perspective and make sound judgment.

There is sure to be hardship ahead, but openness, objectiveness and inclusiveness are our best weapon against all difficulties. When you set out on your adventurous journey, let courage and confidence be your armor; whether you are determined to explore businesses or further into academia, be the change you want to see in the world. As long as you stay poised and fight your way out of the darkest storms, sunshine will always follow.

My dear students, what you have learned today enables you and empowers you to be equipped with skills needed. It enables you to make contributions to our country in the future, and empowers you for global citizenship and the role to tell China’s story to the world.

As online education has become a common practice, no matter online or offline learning, it is essential to embrace the transformation fueled by the power of technology. I hope that you will continue to work hard in universities and get ready to meet new challenges arising from new methods and new concept of education.

It is my hope that you are always motivated for what you are prepared to achieve, and I have every reason to believe that in 20 years you will become the backbone of society. Remember that BRS will always be open for you. I wish you every success in the future, and live a meaningful life to yourself, to our country, and to the world.

My best wishes to you all, dear fellow students, and wish today’s graduation ceremony a complete success. Thank you!

About Wang Guangfa, Doctor of Laws, Chief Principal of Beijing Royal School

He is an educator and entrepreneur who has devoted himself to education for decades. He also plays an active role as a co-founder of the Forum for World Education (FEW), a non-profit world organization aiming to transform education systems to better equip the new generation with the knowledge, skills and mindset for a challenging and rapidly changing world.

Mr. Wang is the vice chairman of Board of Trustees of Institute for Governance Studies at Tsinghua University and also a guest professor of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and China’s chief consultant in the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance.

A Global Vision Essential for Education

An Interview with Mr. Guangfa Wang, Co-founder of FWE and Principal of Beijing Royal School

At a recent online interview, Mr. Guangfa Wang, Co-founder of FWE and Principal of Beijing Royal School shared his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in international education, the reform and innovation in the training of individuals with global perspectives under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Beijing Royal School, the philosophy of education is to focus on students-centered education through fused Chinese & Western approaches, cultivate moral integrity in them, and inspire them to succeed. As one of the earliest international schools in Beijing, its alumni have been active in organizations and events both at home and abroad in politics, academia, businesses, education, and across sections. Their inspiring journeys have started at Beijing Royal School where they have been exposed to quality education resources and opportunities, and later graduated with knowledge, competence and the determination to make a difference. That is what Principal Guangfa Wang is most proud of.

The Pandemic has Brought Challenges to the Whole World

Q: Hello, Mr. Wang. We understand that you are currently in the US. Could you share with us what the situation is like over there? And what’s your opinion about the coverage by foreign media on China’s efforts to fight Covid-19?

A: Based on my observation, New York and Boston are two of the most hard-hit cities. I had been staying in Boston before recently moving to New Hampshire and right now I stay on our Busche Academy campus. Situation here is better as far as I can see, and my team and I work as normal. Our two campuses in the US are undergoing renovation at the moment.

There is no doubt that the pandemic does bring changes to the global landscape, including the international order, bilateral and multilateral relations. At the same time, the collective efforts of the Chinese people to fight Covid-19 are the manifestation of President Xi Jinping’s forward-looking call to build a community of shared future for mankind. It is precisely because of this pandemic that countries around the world are aware of the need to improve their ability to respond to diseases and natural disasters, speed up the allocation and expansion of public health resources, increase awareness of epidemic prevention and control, and make the world pay more attention to life science health, economic recovery, and scientific research.

I do notice that there have been different voices and comments from media lately, especially comments on responsibility disputes caused by the pandemic and I think they are mostly objective and fair. There are, however, many different noises. Some countries for example the United States issued different judgments and assessment towards the WHO’s efforts against COVID-19. The multifaceted nature of world opinion poses a challenge to global organizations. It is true that judgments do differ, but it is normal that countries hold different values, and that different values will inevitably lead to different perspectives and understandings of certain new things.

More talents with global perspectives are needed to promote national development and fulfill international responsibilities. It is advised that parents and students keep calm observation and make wise decisions.

Q: We know that the pandemic has had a huge impact on international political and economic landscapes as well as young people’s overseas education plans for many families. Could you give the parents some advice?

A: To be honest, I don’t think it is very wise to cancel any plans for your children to receive international education.

The past few months have proved that the disease can be defeated, and that panicking does not help. As long as we equip ourselves with awareness, knowledge and confidence, believe in science and have faith in collective efforts, we will win the battle against Covid-19 eventually. We as parents should also see through this battle and know that the world and human civilization will only go forward.

In the past four decades since the Reform and Opening Up, China has embraced the world in economics, trade, education, and cultural exchanges, and it has demonstrated a sense of responsibility during this pandemic by promptly issuing protective measures, sharing information and offering assistance. In the future, China will still face challenges of various kinds; and individuals with international perspectives will be the backbone power to cope with these challenges and build a community of shared future for mankind. As the key to a better future, education will remain top priority for our country.

Therefore, a family’s investment and planning for the next generation of education should not be interrupted or changed due to an epidemic. In the long run, a child will have decades of growth and learning time. Everyone will experience one or another pain or disaster. We parents should help them make rational and correct choices, and lead our children to perceive the world in a global way, to think critically and to make a sound judgment.

I look forward to the day when the pandemic has ended, more families have shaken off anxiety and uncertainty, ready to join hands with the society and schools to forge ahead in the education for the next generation.

Q: When do you think is a good time to send a child to study abroad?

China has excellent basic education. For Chinese parents who plan to send their children abroad for further education, I would suggest that they do so after their children have completed basic education in China. However, it is also recommended that the students should have a general picture about other countries and cultures via short programs such as study trips.

In order to better engage in international communications, one has to have a clear cultural identity and profound knowledge of the history and culture of his own. At the same time, it is very important that they have substantial understanding of the tradition and customs at home and abroad. Therefore, we need to rely on a combined pathway.

When we look back on our history, the New China was founded by people largely influenced by Western philosophy and thoughts, as many of the top leaders in CPC such as Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping had all studied abroad. In the past four decades since the Reform and Opening Up, over 5.2 million Chinese students have studied abroad, and 1.4 million among them are still studying overseas. Over the years, they have made great contribution to the development of China and the world.

As China has now become the world’s biggest source of international students, it is also transforming into an increasingly popular hub for international students. Mr. Chen Baosheng, China’s Minister of Education made the prediction that by the year 2049, China will become the most longed-for destination country for international students. It will be a time when China has greater say in the reform of the world education, and embraces more communications and exchanges via education. A country’s future relies on its youth, and a young man’s future depends on the education he receives. Therefore we as educators need to be responsible, and make wise decisions on the education plans for the younger generations.

The Training of Individuals with Global Perspectives

Q: The idea of “global perspective” has attracted much attention in various aspects such as education and business. As China is actively interacting with the world, many US schools are opening Chinese classes, and foreign business people are learning about Chinese culture. Would you like to talk about something on the “global perspective” in Beijing Royal School?

A: Globalization of Education underpins an open mindset and a global vision. Since its establishment in 1996, Beijing Royal School has incorporated Chinese and Western education systems in its practice, and is now playing a leading role in China’s education reform.

• Maintaining Close Ties with Educational Institutions around the World

Beijing Royal School has always maintained close partnerships with educational institutions around the world in the hope of understanding and learning from the developed world in terms of economic, cultural, social and scientific development. With that in mind, Beijing Royal School has set up sister school partnerships with multiple overseas schools. The Busche Academy established as a US campus of Beijing Royal School is a manifestation of such philosophy — We integrate teaching models and curriculums as well as share faculty and teaching resources.

In terms of international courses and assessments, Beijing Royal School is always a pacesetter. As early as 2003, BRS was registered as a course and test center of CIE(Cambridge Assessment International Education). Later in 2006, AP Courses were introduced, making BRS one of China’s first to obtain an accreditation by the College Board as an AP test center. Over the years, BRS has been authorized by China’s Ministry of Education, ETS, AQA, Edexcel and other international assessment organizations to administer tests and deliver programs including TOEFL, GRE, A-Level, GAC, HSK and pre-test for SAT.

Years of successful running in these courses and programs has also won us many awards such as one of China’s first “Model School of AP Courses”, and six BRS teachers were awarded “Model Teachers of AP Courses”. We will continue working hard to live up to these international standards, preparing our students for global competition.

We’ve also taken into consideration that Chinese culture and language learning is gaining popularity worldwide, and we’ll open Chinese language learning classes in our US campuses.

My career took off with traditional industry. It was my experience that highlighted the importance of human resources in almost all industries and aspects of society, and that education is the key to quality human resources. As China has reaffirmed the importance of education, I have also looked beyond the interaction in industries and shifted the focus to international education. As we introduce quality educational resources from abroad, our strengths in distant learning and digital education platforms have also reached out via our overseas offices in US, UK and France.

• Comprehensive Training and Encouraging Environment Allow All Possibilities for our Students

At BRS, students are encouraged to explore into their interests, talents and passion. We do whatever we can to provide students with opportunities to present themselves, on international stages, to the global audience; and our students have benefitted from these experiences. Zhao Peng with the Class of 2019, for example, had been an active participant since his junior years in the program of Peer Leadership for Healthy Relationships co-hosted by BRS and UN Women. He was therefore invited to speak at the UN ECOSOC 2019 Youth Forum at the UN headquarters, and is now studying at University of Pennsylvania.

As a joint venture, we as educators share the same philosophy in education, which is that education has no borders; we should embrace the highlights with an open mind and make the most of it for our students. We equip the young with competence and vision, and they contribute to the country and the world.

The Rule of Law is Essential for Education

Q: We know that a good sense of rules is indispensable, but some students’ awareness of rules and regulations are relatively weak, that might even cause some   to change or give up their overseas study plan. Can you   share with us some of your experience in developing BRS students’ awareness of international rules?

A: I myself have a professional legal background; and this has proved to be an advantage of BRS in legal education. As early as 2003, a delegation of BRS paid visits to multiple Law Schools in prestigious universities in the US, such as the Law School in the University of Minnesota. Over the years, we have maintained strong ties with many of them by paying reciprocal visits, inviting law professors and professionals to give lectures to our students on topics including the law systems, rules of jurisdiction, comparative law, and the differences between the civil law systems and the differences between the trial systems and the procuratorial systems thus opening a window for our students to understand the importance of laws and rules in the international community. We also set up a campaign called “Build a Rule of Law Culture in School” to explore ways to enhance legal education.

Without rules to guide our action, nothing can be achieved, especially when one goes global. In the future, the international talents we train will have a good awareness of rules in international negotiations, international trade and international cooperation.

The interaction between China and international community in the past few decades has brought us to realize that only when one is equipped with extensive skill sets and substantial knowledge of rules, can one make contribution to global governance.

A Diversified Curriculum for an All-round Education

As China’s education is geared towards a more comprehensive way, the assessment criteria have been enriched in different dimensions. On top of the traditional indicators including test scores and class performance, students’ social emotions and ability to interact with the society and nature are being assessed. To help the students find and pursue their real passions, a diversified curriculum including piano, swimming, soccer, skiing, film-making, literature and liberal arts has been designed and delivered in BRS.

Youth is the Hope and Future for the Nation and the World

Q： Is there anything else you want to share with the young people in the audience to help them overcome anxiety caused by the outbreak?

A: Well, I want to quote Chairman Mao when he met with Chinese students on his visit to former Soviet Union. He said “The world is yours, as well as ours, but in the last analysis, it is yours. You young people, full of vigor and vitality, are in the bloom of life, like the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Our hope is placed on you.” Indeed, the world relies on the young for a brighter future.

In a time when the world is forging its way towards globalization and economic integration, China has engaged so profoundly in international affairs than ever, and has gained unprecedented attention worldwide. Its calling for the Belt and Road Initiative, its joining in G20, SCO, BRICS, China-ASEAN Cooperation, AIIB and other organizations have all demonstrated China’s important role in the international community.

I wish the young people could see the world with unbiased mindset, prepare themselves with comprehensive skill sets, respond to the call of time, and live up to the expectation of the world.

I have full confidence that the young will do us proud in the near future. Thank you.

Coronavirus Pandemic – Young Leader A. Diallo – NBC…

Coronavirus Pandemic – Young Leader A. Diallo – NBC Interview

COVID-19 and school closures: What can countries learn from…

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads around the world, and across every state in the U.S., school systems are shutting their doors. To date, the education community has largely focused on the different strategies to continue schooling, including lively discussions on the role of education technology versus distribution of printed paper packets. But there has been relatively little discussion about how to take advantage of the know-how and good practice developed from years of work in the humanitarian and global development sectors.