A new education initiative designed to improve the quality of education on a global level, from pre-school to higher education will launch in October in Bahrain.

The Education Project, initiated by Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain and chairman of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, will take place from October 15 to 17 in Manama.

The key aim of the Education Project is that delegates leave equipped with the information and insights, and more importantly, with the commitments, partnerships and backing they need to enable them to make real changes.

The Education Project will showcase case studies of innovation and success - with a focus on projects that have already succeeded in one area and have been successfully adapted for another.

The event will match potential donors with projects seeking funding to enable real outcomes as well as outline a global plan for improving education with clear actions and deliverables.

The event will comprise a series of plenary sessions and practical workshops, and will seek to identify practical solutions and gain commitment from educational professionals.

"It is barely ten years since small groups of highly-motivated academics and scientists had to get together in small groups, alone and unheard, to call for greater interest in global warming and green solutions," said professor Ralph Tabberer, chief schools officer, Gems, one of the keynote speakers.

"Now, there is no world leader who dares ignore the issues. We need to make the same transformation in our thinking about education. Let us debate not just where education needs to go, but how we put this top of the agenda for every government, worldwide,” he added.

Tony Wagner, co-director of the Change Leadership Group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, said: "Even our 'best' schools are failing to prepare students for 21st-century careers and citizenship.

"It's time to hold ourselves and all of our students to a new and higher standard of rigour, defined according to 21st-century criteria. It's time for the teaching profession to advocate for accountability systems that will enable us to teach and test the skills that matter most. Our students' futures are at stake."

"Sustainable economic growth that provides opportunity for all is only achievable with the right education system in place," said Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, chief executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board.

"That means education is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Different countries face different challenges but many of the issues are common. Bahrain has a strong track record in education and much to share with the world. But we have much to learn too.”

“Our goal in establishing the Education Project is not only to share best practice but to create a practical road map that educators around the world can follow in order to improve outcomes,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service