By YUAN SHENGGAO | China Daily
As the inaugural international school in Shenzhen, Shekou International School has been a trailblazer in shaping the educational landscape of this vibrant city in South China's Guangdong province.
From its inception with just a dozen students, SIS has flourished over the past 35 years, with more than 1,100 students from over 40 countries now enrolled. They range from nursery to Grade 12, covering ages 2 to 18, across its three campuses.
Its pioneering spirit mirrors Shenzhen's growth and transformation, heralding a new era of international education and cultural exchanges in the region.
Located in Shekou, a community where most of the foreign residents in the city are based, SIS goes beyond the conventional boundaries of education.
Harish Kanabar, head of the school, said sticking to its educational philosophy, SIS is dedicated to nurturing students into compassionate, well-rounded individuals primed to make a tangible and positive effect on a global scale.
"One of the values that we instill in our graduates is that they go off into the world and do good," Kanabar told China Daily. "We want them to become ethical leaders who contribute positively to society, whether in medicine, design, charity work, or non-governmental organization initiatives."
SIS graduates have pursued their further education worldwide, gaining admission to some of the world's top-ranking universities.
Kanabar emphasized that priority should be placed on individual interests and finding the best fit institutions, rather than being pushed by the school or solely considering parental expectations.
"Students learn the importance of balancing academic rigor with wellbeing, fun and community engagement through sports, drama and music. This holistic approach helps them become well-rounded individuals," said Kanabar.
With nearly three decades of experience in academic leadership and teaching across four countries, Kanabar has been at the helm of SIS for the past two years, driving the school's mission to nurture ethical leaders and global citizens.
Green initiative
"Doing good" also involves caring for the planet, so SIS launched a green initiative in 2023 to reduce its carbon footprint — a move that Kanabar takes great pride in.
Guided by the school's sustainability committee, SIS has introduced various measures, from water conservation to energy monitoring and recycling programs.
The committee advocated a more environmentally conscious school environment and launched a three-year strategy. One pivotal step is to equip the school buildings with solar panels this summer.
"If we do not teach our children to be better custodians of this planet, who will take care of it? The adults are not doing an excellent job," Kanabar said.
All the practices have earned SIS the accolade of being recognized as a "Green School" by the Educational Department of Guangdong Province.
He noted he was impressed by Shenzhen's firm approach to environmental conservation, exemplified by its decision to replace all buses and taxis with electric vehicles several years ago.
"China, I think, is going to be the world leader when it comes to more sustainable practices because the country has great infrastructure, a very proactive government and a population that supports it," said Kanabar.
Broader connections
In the eyes of Greg Smith, the former head of the school and the current vice-president for Asia Pacific at International Schools Services, SIS shapes the international education landscape in Shenzhen and fosters a vibrant, multicultural community.
"From the very beginning, SIS understood part of its role was to provide a home away from home, to create a good, strong community to make people feel welcome," said Smith. Originally catering to expatriates employed by a joint venture of oil companies and their families, SIS now operates under the umbrella of ISS, a nonprofit educational organization headquartered in New Jersey, the United States, and has expanded its reach.
As a pioneer of international education in Shenzhen, SIS has consistently adapted to cater to an expanding and diverse student body, irrespective of their culture, language and background.
He noted that the school has meticulously crafted its curriculum to ensure the students are equipped to transition seamlessly back to their home countries whenever necessary.
SIS follows the International Baccalaureate framework and the American common core language arts and mathematics curriculum.
According to Kanabar, artificial intelligence also plays a vital role in the school's educational approach, aiding teachers in resource development and students in enhancing their learning experience.
"By utilizing AI as a teaching tool, we empower students to analyze information, think critically and advocate for change," Kanabar said.
He observed that a rising number of graduates chose to return to China for job opportunities, drawn by the country's economic growth, cultural connections, and their bilingual skills acquired during their time at the school.
Smith noted that the school put a great deal of emphasis on cultural exchange and multilingualism, both of which contribute to fostering a more interconnected and inclusive society in Shenzhen.
He believed that the future of international education lies in fostering deeper global connections and embracing innovation.
"As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, schools must prioritize cultural understanding, multilingualism and creativity in their curricula," he said.
"By leveraging technology and promoting collaboration among schools across borders, we can create a more dynamic and inclusive educational ecosystem that prepares students to navigate a rapidly changing world," he added. According to Smith, ISS, with a network of more than 500 international schools worldwide, is committed to enhancing the quality of education by providing professional development opportunities for educators and aiding the recruitment of talented teachers worldwide.
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