In The Picture — 19 May 2023

Together in India

Students and staff from St Mary’s and Stranmillis University Colleges recently travelled to India to work in schools as part of the Saphara project. The work was set in the context of the Professional Learning in a Changing Society (PLiCS) Programme.

The team comprised BEd students from each university college along with two staff members. Participating students from St Mary’s were: Alexandra McGinley, Alisha Mulholland, Clodagh Bogues, Niamh Donnelly, Roise Byrne and Shane Donnelly. They were accompanied by Thomas Rogan, Senior Lecturer in Irish Medium Education at St Mary’s, and Sharon Jones, Senior Lecturer in Education Studies, at Stranmillis.

The students and tutors had the opportunity to shop for Indian clothes in Delhi, visit the Gandhi Museum and were guests of the Irish Embassy in India’s capital city.

They worked collaboratively to plan and deliver active and engaging lessons with pupils in Sneha Doon Academy and Kaplani High School. Some leisure time presented an opportunity for a trek in the foothills of the Himalayas, as well as a visit to the Taj Mahal.

The students reported that the experience was both inspiring and humbling in equal measure and a great example of Diversity and Mutual Understanding.