C: Tell us a bit about New Horizon Canadian International School (NHCS) and what made you decide to join this school.

Z: Our goal at NHCS is to build a solid foundation on which to grow. With this very philosophy, we started off our first year with students in playgroup, nursery, kindergarten (KG), grade 1, and grade 2 classes. Every year, we will expand by one additional grade level. This is because it will enable us to prioritise and ensure our undivided attention to our younger students, equipping them with a quality education that will grow along with them.

C: NHCS is the first and only school in Bangladesh that follows the British Columbia (BC) Curriculum. What made the institution opt for this particular curriculum?

Z: The Canadian education system is undoubtedly quite highly regarded as one of the very best in the world. Among all the Canadian provinces, the BC high school education system is always rated as the best, owing to its robust hands-on curriculum, exceptionally skilled teachers, and top-notch pedagogy blended seamlessly with ever-changing technology. We follow a know-do-understand model in teaching and learning, allowing students to really absorb whatever they learn.

C: How are the teachers and instructors at New Horizon prepared or trained to handle the BC Curriculum?

Z: BC teachers are certified through the BC Ministry of Education’s Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) after years of education and teacher training which prepares them to deliver the BC Curriculum. As principal, it is my privilege and responsibility to provide ongoing professional development to both foreign and local teachers at NHCS.

C: For students who are eager to pursue higher studies in Canadian universities, how can NHCS’s BC Curriculum help?

Z: The BC curriculum provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in any school environment - making the transition to any Canadian school easy. Students who attend BC offshore schools have the opportunity to graduate with a BC Dogwood Diploma without having to leave their home country. The Dogwood Diploma (BC’s graduation certificate) is accepted worldwide as a standard of high achievement and English language proficiency. Many high school graduates successfully gain admission to post-secondary programs in BC, across Canada, the United States, and around the world. Students from BC perform among the best in Canada and the world in national and international assessments.

C: For parents unfamiliar with the BC Curriculum, or somewhat hesitant to admit their students to an international school like NHCS, would you like to share any advice?

Z: A BC education opens a world of possibilities for your child’s future. Whether that future is here in Bangladesh, in Canada, or anywhere else in the world, BC education provides students with the skills they need to succeed. Our curriculum not only teaches academics, but focuses on developing three core competencies – communication, thinking, and personal and social skills. These competencies enable students to interact with others in collaborative and healthy ways, foster connections with others, share their ideas, express their individuality, expand their learning horizons, and get things done.

An extended version of this interview is available online at thedailystar.net/campus