GEW 2022 - an International Virtual exchange and an amazing learning experience for students and teachers from 4 European countries: Spain, Italy, Malta and Romania

Equality or Equity in Education? (round-table discussion)

15.11.2022

General aim of the activity: to provide an opportunity for intercultural cooperation and exchange of experience and good practices under the auspices of the Global Education Week 2022

Specific aims: 

- to develop the linguistic and digital competences of 10 Romanian students as well as their initiative, problem-solving, critical and creative skills; 

- to encourage virtual cross-border collaboration and intercultural dialogue, civic engagement and public debate while promoting Global Education.

In Romania, at Liceul Teoretic "Radu Vlădescu", during the round-table discussion on the topic of Equality vs. Equity in Education, we identified valuable ideas, personal opinions and potential solutions to the current problems in the fields of local, national and global education. 

Before the meeting, the 10 Romanian students aged 16-17, were provided with short videos on equity and the differences between equality, equity and empowerment, by their teacher of English and form-teacher, in the context of Global Education Week 2022:  https://learningapps.org/view26121500, https://youtu.be/X0N22PMdF1U , https://youtu.be/tcPGacPFt6E .

Then the students answered the following questions:

1. Are we born equal? Why (not)?

2. Why is equity more difficult to achieve than equality?

3. Which are the main causes of inequity in education at local level? (eg rural-urban disparity, richer vs. poorer backgrounds/socio-economic factors, family problems, geographical disadvantages, health problems and emotional disorders, disabilities, special needs, lack of individual discipline, responsibility and motivation etc.)

4. Which are the main causes of inequity in education at global level? (eg poverty, racism, gender discrimination, migration, family status and values, cultural background, school and family resources, wars and conflicts, favoritism or bias, individual circumstances and qualities etc.)

5. How can we ensure equity in education as individuals - teachers and students, school communities and societies?/ What are the local and global solutions to the lack of inequity? (eg addressing the systemic issues that create the inequities, providing fairer access to educational resources and technology, remedial measures, increasing resilience, solidarity and motivation etc.)

6. How can we empower ourselves and fulfil our individual potential regardless of income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location, and other characteristics?

During the virtual exchange, we shared our views with the students from Colegio San Bartolomé, Valencia, Spain, coordinated by Mrs. Amparo Carcel.

Conclusions: Equity in education is vital both locally and globally, in a civilised society built on democracy, fairness, solidarity and inclusion, in which everyone deserves to live a full life and contribute to society. It is also essential to economic growth, poverty reduction, gender equality, public health, conflict resolution and the transformation to sustainable production and consumption. Ensuring both equality of opportuity for learning and equity in education would further accelerate the empowerment of the younger generations and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Results: 10 Romanian and 15 Spanish students more informed on the topic of interest, more self-confident and motivated to participate in intercultural partnerships based on GEW values and practices changing attitudes and behaviours for the benefit of the European and global community.

The last part of the activity was about sharing very short conclusions with all the participants and collecting their feedback using Mentimeter.