Growing globally minded citizens in the desert: A comparative curricula analysis of two schools in Kuwait
Kelly Card & Rosalee VanStaalduinen
Department of Comparative and International Education & Educational Leadership
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to ascertain the possibility and value of establishing an internationally focused curriculum in a middle-eastern, Islamic state. The study is based on the comparative curriculum analysis of two schools in Kuwait City, Kuwait and an examination of their shared vision and their differing pedagogical approaches to curriculum in light of the political, cultural and religious environment. The curriculum analysis is based on an examination of the relevant official curriculum documentation and mission statements of each school, as well as surveys that solicit the impressions of teachers regarding the success of their school in achieving their respective missions.
The authors identify three common challenges. First, both schools exist within a climate that contains elements incompatible with global values. Second, both schools present an inconsistent approach to ensuring that intercultural and internationally focused curriculum is being created and delivered. And third, both schools operate under unclear rights for expatriate workers, thus creating an uncertain and somewhat fearful environment for everyone from administration to the maintenance. The authors also raise the following questions: Who defines the truly global perspective? And what are the essential ingredients in developing citizenship for the new world?
Bio
Kelly Card is a first year student in the international cohort of the College of Education’s Educational Leadership program. He has a special interest in CIE and has worked closely with Iveta Silova. He is presently living and working as a Head of Science department in Kuwait where he has been for the last five years. Kelly is curious about several things including post-modernism, culture, globalization and curriculum but has yet to bring all of this into a research focus.
Rosalee van Staalduinen is a student of the College of Education and is nearing completion of the Masters of Education Globalization and Educational Change program. Rosalee currently resides in Kuwait and is the Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator and a High School English teacher at an International school.
