School Joins UNESCO ASPnet, Marking Major Milestone For State Education
Key Points:
- KPS Kadma becomes first Jharkhand school in UNESCO ASPnet network
- Global initiative at school began in 2023 with 21st century skills focus
- Institution connects with students from 10 to 11 countries worldwide
JAMSHEDPUR – Kerala Public School in Kadma has become the first institution in Jharkhand to join the prestigious UNESCO Associated Schools Network. The recognition marks another achievement for the city in the field of education at the national and international level.
UNESCO ASPnet connects educational institutions across the globe that emphasize global citizenship, peace, sustainable development, dialogue and cooperation alongside traditional education. Around 10,000 institutions from nearly 167 countries are currently part of the network, and only select institutions in India have received this recognition so far.
The school’s journey toward this global initiative began in 2023. Management at the time decided to move beyond curriculum and examinations and started preparing students for future challenges.
KPS focused specifically on developing 21st century skills among students during this process. The school promoted activities based on what it called the “7 Cs,” including character building, citizenship, communication, collaboration and critical thinking.
These activities gave students opportunities to understand different cultures. Moreover, the initiative helped them present their views effectively and develop a global outlook.
KPS Kadma chairman Dr. Srikant Nair said international collaboration has given students a new and broader perspective on education. He said the school has directly engaged with schools and students from around 10 to 11 countries, including the United States, Britain, Japan and Turkey, through dialogue and joint projects.
He added that connecting with an international platform has allowed children to closely understand the education systems, cultures and working styles of different countries. According to him, this has helped build confidence, communication skills and a global outlook among students.
KPS Kadma principal Sharmila Mukherjee said dialogue and collaboration with foreign schools has given students the opportunity to learn several new things. She said children have been inspired to improve their own school and surrounding environment after observing discipline, cleanliness and deep-cleaning practices followed in other countries.
She said such international experiences help children understand the world beyond textbooks. In addition, she said the exposure strengthens communication skills and confidence while also developing a sense of responsibility among students.
Students at the school have expressed enthusiasm over its inclusion in the UNESCO network. According to students, exchanging ideas and dialogue with peers from different countries gives them an opportunity to develop new thinking, and it helps them understand that education is not limited to books and examinations alone.
Students said skills such as communication, leadership, collaboration, confidence and problem-solving would prove useful for their higher education and professional lives in future. The Jharkhand education sector has increasingly seen such institutions expand their global outreach in recent years.
The achievement is being seen as significant not only for the school but for the wider education landscape in Jharkhand. Following its entry into UNESCO ASPnet, students of the school are expected to get more opportunities for international academic activities, dialogue and cooperation in the coming days. Other schools in Jamshedpur have also organized various programmes in the past, while the Kadma locality has seen a mix of civic and community events over the years.
