THE search is on for local schools that have identified themselves as innovative in their pursuit of grooming learners to be the changemakers of the future.
The force behind the campaign in identifying the province’s first Changemaker Schools is the globally recognised Ashoka organisation. Ashoka is a noted global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs – men and women who contribute new ideas and solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems.
The Changemaker Schools programme is a global initiative that identifies, connects and supports innovative schools around the world where the focus is on empowering young people by equipping them with leadership skills and creative problem solving that will enable them to find their voices and shape positive change in the world.
The Ashoka programme will connect the schools identified in a network that allows the sharing of insights, knowledge and initiatives happening across all the schools within the network. It also links the schools to educators, social entrepreneurs and other leaders who will work with the schools in inspiring new ways of thinking.
Schools that qualify for the Ashoka programme should engage children holistically by providing learning opportunities whereby learners grow academically, physically and spiritually in values with global perspectives.
Learners should be instilled with values of empathy, collaboration and community and the school must be eager to collaborate with other schools in an effort to share, deepen, build and spread practices that influence the education system.
Schools that meet this criteria and can provide evidence are eligible to join the Ashoka Changemaker Schools Network.
At present, the global network consists of more than 250 schools across the globe and the organisation hopes to add the first changemaker schools in KZN to the network and see them benefit from the partnerships and exchange programmes with similar schools on the world stage.
Schools within the network benefit from support from leading social entrepreneurs, corporates and local and global foundations.
If you would like to nominate a local school you believe fits the profile contact Sanjana at sanjanaj@ashoka.org or Lesego at lgmokobodi@ashoka.org to apply.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but to be considered for the first cohort, please write in by August 5th 2017.
