How does the Link Schools Programme work?
Step 1: 
The Irish school fills in an application form outlining their interest in school linking and their preferred partner country (Ghana, Malawi, South Africa or Uganda). 
Step 2: 
LCD Ireland requests a suitable linked school be chosen by colleagues in the partner African country.
Step 3: 
LCD Ireland sends a partner school profile to the Irish school, along with a Link Schools Teachers' Pack and a calendar of key mailing dates.

Pictured: learning materials sent from Scoil Chaitriona Infants in Dublin to Kangora Primary School in Kamwenge, Uganda.

Step 4: 
The Irish and African schools correspond by post (and sometimes by phone) to complete a Partnership Agreement Form, outlining shared learning goals and curricular projects for their partnership. 
Step 5: 
LCD provides curriculum-linked development resources to all schools once a term on the themes of the environment, health, gender, global poverty, education for all and global partnership. 
Step 6: 
Irish and African schools exchange examples of their curricular work, letters, photos etc once a term by post (via the LCD office in their country). 
Step 7: 
LCD Ireland offers to visit the Irish schools to introduce students and teachers to Africa and to their partner school, and to explore development issues.

Please note: LCD will soon be launching the Link Schools Programme website. Each school involved in the programme will receive a user name and password. They will be able to log in to correspond with their partner school online.  

What are the benefits of school linking?
 - forming friendships between students and teachers in your school and your partner school
 - developing understanding of the meaning of global citizenship
 - challenging stereotypical beliefs and prejudices
 - improving students' communication skills
 - adding a global dimension to the curriculum, school initiatives and awards
 - enhancing curricular learning by developing joint curricular projects with an African school on 
   topics such as fair trade, water usage, health and the rights of the child.













Pictured: students in class outdoors at one of the schools supported by Link Community Development in Uganda. 


What are the benefits for the African schools?
The African partner schools involved in the Link Schools Programme are selected from Link's school improvement programmes. This means they have access to a programme of training and support designed to improve the quality of education provided in the school. 

The African schools benefit from funds raised through the Link Schools Programme, which go towards the development of school improvement projects.

As with the Irish schools involved, school linking plays an important role in improving the quality of education in the African schools, by deepening their understanding of global issues and strengthening the impact of global citizenship.
  
Pictured: Learning materials demonstrating curriculum based work, created by an Irish school for their Ugandan linked partner school.