The Global Schoolroom promotes the sharing of educational experience between communities worldwide to help eradicate poverty, promote economic development and build sustainable communities.
Now a registered charity, the Global Schoolroom works directly with teachers and communities to build a framework for teacher education which once in place is designed to be sustained by local networks.
With the assistance of Dr Marie Clarke and colleagues at the UCD School of Education, the original curriculum offered through the Global Schoolroom was enhanced to a fully accredited 60 Credit ETS qualification at level 7.
Professor Bairbre Redmond, Deputy Registrar for Teaching and Learning at University College Dublin, travelled to the remote regions in North East India to present the first group of teachers with their awards.
"These first award ceremonies were a real affirmation of the work and aims of the Global Schoolroom. They were a very proud and emotional moment for all of us involved," says Garret Campbell, CEO of Global Schoolroom
"At present we receive funding from Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd, and the teachers from Ireland who travel with us provide all their services on a voluntary basis. But with our recently designated charity status we intend to pursue other avenues of funding with the aim of expanding our supports to other regions in India and the developing world."
Almost 600 teachers in Ireland, India and Uganda are part of the Global Schoolroom.
Produced by UCD University Relations