Edexcel, Pearson organise seminar on "Modern International Curricula"

Edexcel, UK’s largest awarding body and a part of the Pearson group today organised a seminar on “Modern International Curricula” at Leela Kempinski Hotel. The Chief Speaker at the occasion was Dr. David Davies, Head, International Academic Programs, Edexcel. Also present at the occasion was Mr. Vivek Govil, President and CEO, Pearson Education; Ms. Preeti D’mello, Regional Director, Edexcel; Mr. Anish Srikrishna, Chief Marketing Officer, Pearson Education, Ms. Premila Canitius, Territory Manager, Edexcel and Ms. Anu Singh, Head School Support. The seminar witnessed a participation of educationists and school principals, focused on finding out the requirements from a modern international curriculum.

Dr. David, Head, International Academic Programs, Edexcel, who is also an Ofsted Inspector and a former university lecturer in English Literature said “Modern Educational Curricula wield a fundamental influence on the development of the intellectual, physical, psychological and social aspects of young learners’ , and equip them with the required skills to adapt to life’s challenges. It is important that we keep innovating our curricula and keep it relevant to help learners who would shape societal growth.”

International academic qualifications, their structure and assessment models as well as ideal resource, training and support structures were discussed during the seminar. Dr. Davies also shared more information on new qualifications being developed in the UK the efforts being undertaken by Edexcel to modernise qualifications. The structure of Edexcel’s IGCSE and GCE A level qualifications were presented by Dr. Davies as also a new International Diploma and a primary and middle years curriculum.

Skills development is an often neglected area in Indian education and a fusion of academic and vocational education was presented as an ideal mix. Schools need to empower students with a choice of qualifications and differing assessment models. Edexcel showcased the Uk model where academic and vocational education co-exist and are provided equivalence making them popular among schools. In this context the experiential methodology of Edexcel’s BTEC qualifications was presented as an example. With a practical approach to learning and assessment, these qualifications have gained great popularity among students with an increasing number opting for it and gaining equivalence with academic subjects in the UK.

Mr. Vivek Govil, CEO and President Pearson Education said, “Internationally, Edexcel operates in 85 countries and every year we mark about 10 million examination scripts. In UK, Edexcel works with more than 5,000 secondary schools, 450 further education colleges, 70 higher education institutions and more than 700 employers and training providers. With a rich history of over 100 years and accreditation from Ofqual, the UK regulator, Edexcel has a rich tradition of academic integrity. Pearson as an entity is committed to education and India is a key focus area where we intend to partner institutions to offer qualifications from Edexcel as well as access resources and technology that enhance educational attainment.”

The seminar outlined the features of an educational system from the UK and its key features. Schools in India, which has seen a surge in the popularity of international qualifications, can access Edexcel’s qualifications in the academic as well as vocational streams.