Indian-origin education entrepreneur launches new schools initiative

London, Nov 23 (PTI) Kerala-born education entrepreneur Sunny Varkey, founder of the Global Teacher Prize, on Wednesday launched a new worldwide representative body for independent schools as a knowledge sharing initiative to improve educational outcomes.

The new Global Independent Schools Association (GISA) is planned as a partner in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030.

Varkey called on India's independent schools, estimated at around 340,000, to join in this new mission to make their voice heard.

According to recent World Bank data, over 50 per cent of secondary school pupils and 13 per cent of primary school pupils in India are enrolled in an independent institution including not for profit, profit, run by a private body such as a non-governmental organisation (NGO), religious body, special interest group, foundation or business enterprise.

The new GISA initiative hopes to tap into their knowledge, expertise, and frontline experiences of educating children from different backgrounds.

UNESCO estimates show that around 350 million children are educated in the independent schools sector globally.

GISA membership for such organisations is designed to co-create resources and provide access to cutting-edge research and reports, innovative workshops and events.

GISA also aims to hold an annual conference where governments, businesses, NGOs, and leading thinkers gather once a year for a high-level discussion on how to speed up the goal of achieving quality education for all.