The challenge
In school, and at home, children and youth in Bangladesh are expected to memorize large amounts of theory, which is often not linked to their reality. This often happens in negative, controlling environments, which cause many children and youth to become passive due to fear of failure. Many also develop low self-confidence, depression, believe they are valueless and not able learners, and they lose hope for a better future1.
To solve complex, global challenges and create sustainable development, we need an education system with new ways of learning and knowing so students develop capabilities to act2.
Our response
In EDS, we believe in the potential of children and youth to become change agents in their communities. Our commitment to transformative learning is at the heart of everything we do. We encourage our children and youth to take empowering roles like leaders, teachers and entrepreneurs, to be role models and learn by doing and reflection. Through collaborative action research and Living Educational Theory Research, we explore changes in our own behaviour, values, and critical thinking abilities. Striving to become increasingly conscious of the life-affirming values (love, hope, freedom, empowerment, democracy, social justice, joy) we practice, and how we practice them, we aim to increase our educational influence on each other’s learning, both professionally and in being human.
See our living posters and how we practice our values at EDS gp page 120125
We create a psychologically safe practice community where children, youth and adults learn together and explore questions like “How can I/we improve my/our practice?”.
The children and youth run action-reflection cycles where they identify challenges, plan, act, observe and document, critically reflect on results, process, own role, how to improve the plan and own behaviour and try again.
Making plans and budgets
Taking action
Observing actions and letting the EDS youth observe their own actions by watching videos together of them teaching.
Listen with interest, creating a safe environment for sharing what went according to plan, what did not, and celebrate what we learn from the experience.
Reflection and sharing what we learned
Sharing our Living Educational theory Research from EDS with Jack and Marie and exploring our experiences together. Feeling seen, heard, valued, gaining new insights about oneself and creating knowledge together generates energy!
Any information and school subject can be used for good or bad. Hence, we encourage our children and youth to use their knowledge as well as to teach and mentor in ways that inspires others to also use their knowledge to create a more humane world.
We discuss questions like:
How do I express my living values (love, hope, freedom, empowerment, democracy, social justice, joy) in practice?
How does me expressing my living values influence my students’ behaviour, thinking and learning?
How does it motivate my students to express their living-values through thinking and behaviour?
How does that impact their learning and the learning of their peers?
How does it impact our EDS community positively and contribute to creating a more humane world?
What knowledge do my students and I create together?
How do I verify my claims to knowledge?
We continuously seek to improve our teaching and guiding practices, ensuring that every child receives the quality education they deserve. With a focus on interdisciplinary learning, using the farm, roof garden and ICT as learning arenas, we cultivate an environment where knowledge transcends traditional boundaries, fostering a love for learning that resonates with each child.
We are proud to share that our findings are not just confined to our classrooms; they reach the global stage through publications in international peer-reviewed education journals. This not only amplifies the voices of our students but also showcases the groundbreaking work being done at EDS.
See our published articles here. (can you make a link to the Publication page on the word here? I made it red so you may understand it better 😊)
Sharing our Living Educational theory Research from EDS with Jack and Marie and exploring our experiences together. Feeling seen, heard, valued, gaining new insights about oneself and creating knowledge together generates energy!
Any information and school subject can be used for good or bad. Hence, we encourage our children and youth to use their knowledge as well as to teach and mentor in ways that inspires others to also use their knowledge to create a more humane world.
We discuss questions like:
How do I express my living values (love, hope, freedom, empowerment, democracy, social justice, joy) in practice?
How does me expressing my living values influence my students’ behaviour, thinking and learning?
How does it motivate my students to express their living-values through thinking and behaviour?
How does that impact their learning and the learning of their peers?
How does it impact our EDS community positively and contribute to creating a more humane world?
What knowledge do my students and I create together?
How do I verify my claims to knowledge?
We continuously seek to improve our teaching and guiding practices, ensuring that every child receives the quality education they deserve. With a focus on interdisciplinary learning, using the farm, roof garden and ICT as learning arenas, we cultivate an environment where knowledge transcends traditional boundaries, fostering a love for learning that resonates with each child.
We are proud to share that our findings are not just confined to our classrooms; they reach the global stage through publications in international peer-reviewed education journals. This not only amplifies the voices of our students but also showcases the groundbreaking work being done at EDS.
See our published articles here.
Together, we are not just conducting research; we are igniting a movement. A movement that believes every child has the right to dream, learn, and thrive. We invite you to join us on this transformative journey, to stand with us as we break barriers, challenge assumptions, and create a brighter future for our children.
Let’s work together to turn aspirations into reality. Your support and involvement can make a difference! Together, we can empower the next generation to rise, to learn, and to transform their communities.