Submitted by the participants at the Lift Off Schools Forum, March 2008

Learning Intention is to show the importance of free education for the long-term development of a country (economical aspect, importance of skilled labour force).

Curriculum Links to Geography, History, SPHE, Religion, English and Art

Geography: Education elsewhere
                        Educate together schools
                        Trocaire
                        No education
                        Plans for school changes

History:          Hedge schools
                        Changes in education
                        History of own school
                        Parent’s education

English: Debates
Oral

SPHE: Feelings
Awareness of others

Sample Activities

Overall activity: Comparing and contrasting similarities between schools in developing countries and Irish schools in the past and in the present education system in Ireland.

Right Start age range (4 – 7 years old)
1. Comparing photos of schools, classrooms and pupils of developing countries (being sensitive to image presentation of education in developing countries)

Lift Off age range (7 – 9 years old)
1. Create a class mural depicting the differences and similarities between schools

Me, You, Everyone age range (9 – 11 years old)
1. Discuss: What do children who do not go to school do? – Issue of child labour
2. Debate questions such as: Is education really free? Whose responsibility is it to ensure children get an education? Is education a priority in developing countries?