Afri Twin is an international school linking initiative that facilitates mutually beneficial partnerships between students and teachers at schools in the United Kingdom and South Africa.[1][2] It was founded in 2001 by Jayne Martin, a South African then living in the United Kingdom who has since returned to South Africa.[3][4] Afri Twin provides support for the programme by matching schools with suitable partners, providing guidance to participating schools and arranging workshops and other networking events.[1] The benefits of Afri Twin partnerships include global learning, greater cultural tolerance and the improvement of learning facilities in disadvantaged schools.[2][4] In 2010, there were over 250 schools in the United Kingdom and South Africa participating in the initiative.[1]

Afri Twin
Formation2001 (2001)
FounderJayne Martin
HeadquartersCape Town
Key people
Jayne Martin (Cape Town)
Sandy Agar (London)
Websitewww.afritwin.net

School clusters

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Participating schools are arranged in collaborative clusters of up to six schools,[5] including at least one British school and one South African school, with one aim being the upliftment of a disadvantaged South African school in each cluster.[2][6][7][8] Apart from physical visits to partner schools,[7][9][10] students at twinned schools are encouraged to learn more about other cultures via pen pal relationships,[11] video chat,[12] and blogging,[11] and teachers exchange teaching tips and ideas.[13][14] School clusters also collaborate on themed projects that incorporate a variety of school subjects and foster global citizenship.[9][13]

Funding

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Some participating schools have received financial support for the initiative from the British Council, a British charity that promotes international educational and cultural relations. Participating schools also undertake their own fundraising projects to help finance overseas trips and school upliftment projects.[7][9][10][11][15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Bourn, Douglas; Cara, Olga (2013). School linking – where next? Partnership models between schools in Europe and Africa (PDF). Development Education Research Centre, Institute of Education, University of London. pp. 14–15. ISBN 9780957454620. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c de Klerk, Werner (2008). A discussion of a unique collaboration model between schools (M.A.). North-West University. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  3. ^ "About Us". Afri Twin. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  4. ^ a b de Klerk, Werner (2013). The dynamics of psycho-social well-being in Afri Twin schools (PhD). North-West University. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  5. ^ "The Twinning Process". Afri Twin. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  6. ^ Maseko, Mbongiseni (13 February 2014). "Book donation welcomed by Mfuleni High School". City Vision. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014.
  7. ^ a b c Cowan, Kyle (17 March 2014). "AfriTwin gives Chelmsford Primary School a welcome revamp". Newcastle Advertiser. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  8. ^ McCain, Nicole (31 August 2014). "Cash boost for needy school". People's Post. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014.
  9. ^ a b c Gadsby, Helen; Bullivant, Andrea, eds. (2011). "Case Study 2 – Global learning through international linking: Hilbre High School Humanities College". Global Learning and Sustainable Development. Oxon: Taylor & Francis. pp. 153–157. ISBN 9781136728921.
  10. ^ a b Cureton, Stephanie (3 April 2012). "Wirral students run more than 6,000 miles for Sport Relief". Wirral Globe. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  11. ^ a b c Cruywagen, Vincent (21 August 2014). "Cape school gets UK cash boost". The New Age. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  12. ^ Houghton-Vowles, Avebry; Greaves, Alfie (13 December 2012). "Engaging in online talks". Herald Express. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014.
  13. ^ a b Rank, Tom; Millum, Trevor; Warren, Chris (2011). "Using ICT to Communicate and Collaborate". Teaching English Using ICT: A practical guide for secondary school teachers. London: A&C Black. pp. 125–142. ISBN 9781441124050.
  14. ^ Hernando, Harriet (4 July 2011). "African teachers take tips home from Stroud High School". Stroud News and Journal. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  15. ^ "Royal Wootton Bassett Academy broadens Africa link". The Wiltshire Gazette & Herald. 24 November 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.

Further reading

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