Australia: International educators workshop ideas to improve rural education

Oceanía/Australia/Septiembre de 2016/Fuente: ABC.net

RESUMEN: La Sociedad para la Provisión de Educación Rural en Australia  (SPERA) celebra su conferencia anual  esta semana,  reuniendo a ponentes internacionales para discutir los retos del futuro para las escuelas rurales y universidades de todo el mundo. El Presidente Nacional SPERA y Director de la Escuela, Brian O’Neill dijo que era una oportunidad para diferentes educadores a trabajar juntos para abrir nuevas posibilidades para los niños de las escuelas rurales de todo el mundo. «[Es] una oportunidad para que los delegados compartan ideas, para conseguir algo nuevo y también – lo más importante – para formar redes que luego puedan seguir adelante», dijo. «Se trata de las pedagogías de enseñar a los niños rurales y superar la tiranía de la distancia».

The Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA) is holding its annual conference this week, bringing together international speakers to discuss the challenges ahead for rural schools and universities across the globe.

National SPERA president and school principal Brian O’Neill said it was an opportunity for different educators to work together to open new possibilities for rural school children around the world.

«[It is] an opportunity for delegates to share ideas, to get something new and also – most importantly – to form networks that they can then continue on,» he said.

«It is about the pedagogies of teaching rural kids and overcoming the tyranny of distance.»

Professor Unn-Doris Baeck from the University of Norway said while she had only been in Australia for three weeks, she had noticed similarities between rural schools in her country and ours.

«I can see that we have a lot of the same issues … differences in achievement levels, drop outs, enrolment in higher education and also the ability to complete higher education,» she said.

Mr O’Neill said he was shocked at how similar the challenges were.

«I could have closed my eyes and thought I was actually hearing about rural education in Australia.»

Finish rural school principal wants outback experience

Finish school principal Risto Kilpelainen had only just arrived in Mackay when he spoke with the ABC but said he was keen to learn more about rural education in Australia.

He has put together a doctoral thesis on village schools in Finland and wants to compare rural Australian schools with his international findings.

«I have not visited an Australian rural school [and] that is my big dream, to visit a real rural school in the middle of nowhere,» Mr Kilpelainen said.

«I have been a rural school teacher for 20 years and I know what [kind of] school my school is but I am curious to know about the rural schools in Australia.»

Mr O’Neill said he hoped new networks could be formed with these educators to improve the future for rural school children everywhere.

He hoped frameworks could be established to address and overcome the challenges shared by nations around the world.

«At 13 you are going away away from your parents when you probably need their support and guidance most, so if we can deliver really good, quality education in the local community for as long as possible [that is beneficial].»

Fuente: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-29/rural-education-conference/7887612