Raising the world’s Next global citizens

Steve Calland-Scoble
Director, International School Dhaka (ISD)

The Daily Star (TDS): What distinguishes an international school from an English medium school?

Steve Calland-Scoble (SCS): An international school prepares students to become global citizens through a high-quality, academic program, like the International Baccalaureate (IB). While English is the medium of instruction, the curriculum's purpose is not just language proficiency but fostering a global perspective. It is designed to be rigorous, concept-based, and prepares students for higher education and the realities of the modern world, rather than being purely skills-based or theoretical.

TDS: What is the main vision of the school?

SCS: The school's vision is to empower students through innovative learning so they can achieve academic excellence to become impactful global citizens. This involves moving beyond traditional teaching methods to inspire and empower our students, allowing them to push themselves and extend their capabilities.

TDS: In the context of the IB program, what does "global citizenship" mean?

SCS: Global citizenship means having a perspective that extends beyond national boundaries. It involves understanding, respecting and embracing diverse cultures and recognising a shared responsibility towards global issues. This differs from traditional approaches. It actively engages students with global perspectives in politics, economics, the environment and social justice, encouraging them to be positive, active contributors rather than passive learners focused only on examination success.

TDS: How does the IB curriculum incorporate these international perspectives across different subjects?

SCS: Every subject and unit is taught through one of six 'global contexts'. These are overarching themes—such as 'Identities and Relationships, Orientation in Space and Time, Personal and Cultural Expression, Scientific and Technical Innovation, Globalization and Sustainability, and Fairness and Development—that connect learning to real-world global issues. This ensures that international perspectives are systematically integrated into the curriculum, rather than being inconsistently delivered between subjects and schools.

TDS: What role does the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course play in this?

SCS: The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course is a core component focused on critical thinking and how we know what we claim to know.  It teaches students how to learn by examining the nature of knowledge itself through themes like perception, logic, evidence, and ethics. This develops the critical thinking skills they need to effectively understand and engage with complex global issues.

TDS: How does the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) program help students develop as global citizens?

SCS: CAS requires students to engage in a range of experiences beyond academics. The 'Service' component is particularly important for global citizenship, as it involves students in community service activities. At our school, this includes working with local schools, participating in urban farming and hydroponics projects, and supporting children with disabilities. Students also develop leadership skills and engage in global debates through programs like Model United Nations (MUN). We participate from the local to the global stage!

TDS: How do you ensure quality teaching and continuous teacher development?

SCS: We recruit well-qualified teachers with proven track records, most of whom already have IB experience. We then invest heavily in their continuous professional development, providing access to official IB training courses and other specialized workshops. This ensures our faculty remains at the forefront of educational innovation and is equipped to deliver our high-quality educational program.

TDS: What are your upcoming plans for new facilities and academic programs?

SCS: We are formally introducing a comprehensive digital citizenship program. We are making a significant long-term investment in our robotics and design labs, including VEX and LEGO robotics equipment and extensive teacher training. This is to support student participation in global competitions. We are also expanding opportunities in performing arts, entrepreneurship, and international sports competitions. We are very excited about the future possibilities at ISD for our students!