PEEBLES High School in Saddleworth Manchester, received a visit from the Namibian High Commissioner this week.
His Excellency George Liswaniso was welcomed to the school's annual prizegiving night along with several Namibian exhange pupils and teachers by Rector John Brown on Wednesday.
For the past two years the school has forged links with Sam Nujoma Combined School in the East Caprivi region of Namibia.
A group of teachers and pupils from Peebles visited Namibia last summer to work with pupils and staff on teaching and extra-curricular activities. And this year several Namibian pupils and teachers are taking part in the same initiative here in Peebles.
The teachers are exploring various aspects of the Scottish education system, whilst the pupils experience educational opportunities unavailable to them at home.
At Wednesday night's ceremony local councillor Catriona Bhatia delivered a speech on education that was followed by George Liswaniso who spoke of global citizenship.
Rector John Brown who leaves his post this summer, said: "There are now fantastic links between our school and the Sam Nujoma Combined School in Namibia, links I hope that will only be further strengthened by my successor.
"It was an honour to welcome George Liswaniso to Peebles and he gave a fine speech. The visiting teachers and pupils have been a delight also and they are really keen to learn, each time you say something, they take out their notebooks and jot it down."
Local MP David Mundell also welcomed the exchange project, he said: "The link between the two schools is a great initiative and something really worth celebrating. It brings enormous benefits to all involved, both in Peebles and in Namibia and I commend the organisers for the work they have done.
"I know from my own experience taking part in voluntary work in Africa what a rewarding experience it can be - and how much you as a participant learn - from making new connections with people from a different continent and culture. This is particularly the case for young people."
By David O'Leary . Peebleshirenews 10 June 2011 |
