UNESCO to train school principals to benefit 10 million children in Ghana, Kenya and India
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will train thousands of school principals, beginning in Ghana, Kenya and India, in a programme that has the potential to benefit up to 10 million children in the future.
The initiative, “10,000 Principals Leadership Programme” is a partnership between UNESCO and the Varkey GEMS Foundation, a not-for-profit education organization.
US former President, Bill Clinton made the announcement at the yearly meeting in New York of the Clinton Global Initiative September 22, 2011.
According to UNESCO, the new initiative foresees the training of 10,000 principals in the three countries targeted over four years and the multiplier effect of the programme, the agency said has the potential to benefit thousands of teachers and up to 10 million children.
Under the initiative, the Foundation, in cooperation with UNESCO, will provide leadership and professional development courses to improve the skills and knowledge of the school principals.
In a statement, UNESCO said “During the first year, an initial group of trainers will be trained to ensure consistent delivery, as well as building capacity in the required methodology. The 50 to 60 trainers will be further supported to train 500 principals in Ghana, Kenya and India. During the subsequent three years, the 500 trained principals will in turn be responsible for training all the beneficiaries.”
By Ekow Quandzie