The British Teaching Diploma is launched in India in partnership with DSB International and in association with our wonderful colleagues at the Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
In our 25 years of working with teachers round the world, there are two two major countries we haven’t worked in very much at all. The USA (it’s got its own education system that doesn’t seem to interface that much with other systems) and more upsettingly, India. Dragonfly have worked with schools in Mumbai and Agra but this has been a bit few and far between.
I am particularly disappointed about this as I have a special place in my heart for India, because I played/coached rugby (yes…you read that correctly) for The Bombay* Gymkhana for 3 months back in 1998. I was also described by The Bombay* Times as ‘probably+ the best rugby player in India at the present moment’.
* for younger readers, I don’t think the name Mumbai was used at all in 1988 but I might be wrong
+ I was slightly annoyed about the word ‘probably’!
However this all changed not so long ago and once again it came about through having conversations with lots of people.
I was introduced to Janette Quinn at COBIS by Dr Fiona Rogers their Deputy CEO and Director of Professional Development. Janette and I had a great conversation which covered lots of topics (including a shared love of ‘To Do’ lists) and she mentioned the good relationship COBIS had with an excellent school in Mumbai.
This connection turned out to be Dr Howard Ghee who was the Principal of DSB International School, Mumbai. Howard and I were introduced and we had a fantastic chat. It turned out that not only did we share a lot in common in regards to our views on education, we were both at Liverpool University at the same time….1984-87!
I explained everything about The British Teaching Diploma and Howard seemed to think that this was absolutely what his colleagues in India needed. This really pleased me as Howard has lived there for 12 years and he assured me he intended to stay there for the rest of his life. His commitment to the country he loves so much really impressed me and his deep desire to help improve education standards remained undimmed.
Howard immediately placed two of his staff on a free two module trial of the programme and the feedback was instant. They loved it.
Howard and I then worked upon various aspects of our working relationship, which turned out to be easy enough and before long we were both heading to London to sign our agreement at COBIS Headquarters in Russell Square, London. I have to say, Howard’s journey was quite a bit longer than mine!
From left to right, Myself, Dr Fiona Rogers (Deputy CEO; Director of Professional Development and Research COBIS) and Dr Howard Ghee (Principal DSB International School Mumbai)
We hope to start our first cohort of The BTD in India on April 14th and I can not wait. To be once again hopefully working with colleagues in such a fantastic country absolutely thrills me.
Many thanks to:
Dr Fiona Rogers and Janette Quinn at COBIS. I have worked with Fiona in a number of ways over many years. She’s one of life’s good guys. Janette, I have sadly only met on Zoom, but I have a feeling we will get on really well. COBIS is a wonderful organisation.
Howard Ghee….an inspiring person, to say the least. His stories of his work in the Environment Agency before he moved into teaching were just fantastic. His commitment to India and its people is just so deep. He and I share a simple dream that embodies what the BTD is all about….
To Bring Cutting Edge Pedagogy To The Whole World AT An Affordable Price.
Fingers crossed, that we can make this a reality in India soon.
Howard and I prior to the signing.
The signing of our partnership.
Shaking hands on it at the end.