British Council’s Schools Now! 2024 was held over three days in Cape Town,
South Africa from 27-29 February 2024. The conference was attended by over 1000 school leaders both
onsite and virtually, and served as a platform for fostering collaboration, sharing best practices and
insights in international education. From Bangladesh, 28 delegates attended the conference including
representatives from the British Council, Academia, Cherry Blossoms International School & College,
DPS STS School, Earth House Alternative School, Juvenile English Medium School, Manarat Dhaka
International School and College, Maple Leaf International School, Mastermind English Medium School,
Oxford International School, PLAYPEN, Premier School Dhaka, Scholastica, Sir John Wilson School,
and Sunnydale Bangladesh.
The themes included digital learning, leadership, well-being, and safeguarding, adding to a rich
internationalised and contextualised curriculum. Through a series of engaging keynote sessions,
immersive workshops, and panel discussions, delegates explored innovative teaching approaches,
curriculum enrichment strategies, and the integration of technology in education. 
Martin Lowder, Head of Global Exams Services, The British Council, shared, ‘The spirit of Schools Now!
is to establish global connections within the educational community, exploring insights and innovations
in international education. By addressing emerging themes, we aim to empower educators to navigate the
complexities of the shifting education landscape and drive positive outcomes for students.’
Maxim Raiman, Exams Director at the British Council in Bangladesh, n, said: ‘The British Council
Partner Schools programme supports over 175 Partner Schools in Bangladesh to deliver UKnternational
School Qualifications on behalf of UK awarding bodies. Our educational support enables schools to
enhance the learning experience for students, improving educational outcomes.'
Sabina Mustafa, Head of Academic Affairs from Scholastica said, 'The education sector is undergoing
continuous transformation due to technological advances. Online platforms and digital resources are
redefining our access to knowledge. Collaboration between stakeholders is essential to address these rapid
changes and ensure equity in access to education. The Schools Now! conference is an ideal platform to
share this knowledge and expertise to support educators like us to implement innovation in schools.’
The opening keynote session by Victoria Pendry, CEO of the Curriculum Foundation, aimed at
empowering schools to develop, monitor and evaluate an enriched curriculum. Her presentation explored
the interconnected nature of digital learning, leadership, well-being and safeguarding as a foundation for
quality and equitable education.
Other distinguished speakers included, Dr Funke Baffour-Awuah, Head of Well-being Division and Child
Protection Lead, Al Rayan International School, Ghana, Kathleen O’Hare, British Council Education
Consultant, Pamela O`Brien, Deputy Head and Jo Parkes, Deputy Head Academic from British Council
School in Madrid.

Press Release

Tatiana Popa, Deputy Academic Director, Heritage International School, Moldova, an ISC International
Education Influencer of 2023, delivered a session for virtual delegates, on ‘Digital learning’, focussing on
the use of AI in schools and how this will impact all areas of work, educational tools, teaching practice
and much more.
An expert panel on ‘AI in Education’ comprising of Kudzayi Tarisayi, Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch
University, Cape Town, Reham Ali, Director of Middle and High School Education, Nermine Ismail
International Schools, Egypt and Jo Parkes discussed valuable tips into how schools can ensure students
are prepared for future needs dictated through the use of AI. It was eye-opening to see nearly 90% of
conference delegates voice AI as a friend, not foe, signalling widespread optimism towards AI’s potential
benefits.