Ansari Welfare Trust

A school twinning agreement can be defined as a relationship between two schools which consists of a mutual benefit.

In this context the link was made between Kashmir Institute of Special Education (KISE), based in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and Thorn Park School for Deaf Children, Bradford, West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom.

Benefits of Twinning:

• Promoting tolerance
• Enhancing youths activities
• Improving service delivery
• Increasing global awareness
• Effective staff development and training
• Promoting community well-being
• Public awareness and learning
• Raising achievement

There are a number of ways for linking these schools:

Exposure to New Teaching Techniques

Schools will be able to find out the latest trends in pedagogy so that its practices can be improved. In other words, by linking with a school the teachers of the school will be able to know about different styles of teaching. This will help the schools to develop as a school to develop as a school of the new millennium.

Teacher Exchange

The way of link is by way of teacher exchange. Teachers form both schools can visit each other's school, which will provide a wealth of experience to both schools. They will get an exposure to teaching in a foreign culture and context, particularly in understanding cultural differences and teaching methods. This can help them to teach better at their own schools.

Student Exchange

Schools in link will arrange student's exchange visits. During such visits students can learn about different cultures, the education system and language spoken by their partner school.

Teacher Training

Both schools will train each other about various aspects. Both schools will be able to organise workshops, seminars, experience sharing sessions and teacher exchange for teacher training proposes.

Classroom-to-classroom interaction

Students of a particular grade level interact with students of the similar grade in their partner school. This interaction will be of various kinds such as:

• Sharing their experiences of their respective cultural festivals
• Helping each other to understand different concepts regarding their syllabus
• Conducting a research project together
• Working on environmental issues in their respective area and share their experiences
• Sharing information regarding their interests, birthdays and families
• Becoming pen friends or web friends
• Sending each other videos and photographs of important places in their respective cities
• Sharing maps of their cities pinpointing the location of their school.

On-Line Linkage

Both schools will have an on-line linkage where they will be able to share information and communicate to each other.

Project Work

Student will do subject-specific/integrated projects in their respective schools and then share their experiences with each other.

Web-based Education

Schools will help each other to develop and grow through web-based education.

Educational Management

Head teachers of both schools will help each other to understand and practice different concepts like team building and staff appraisal.

Student-to-Student Interaction

Student-to-student interaction will involve students interacting with each other.