Info - About

What is the World's Biggest Lesson?

The World's Biggest Lesson is the Global Campaign for Education's attempt to get officials, decision makers and media back to school, and get the largest number of individuals taking the same lesson at the same time.  The lesson is titled: Quality Education to End Exclusion.

How to I get involved?

Register

Get the lesson

Teach it on 23 April 2008

Report back

Why is the World's Biggest Lesson taking place?

The World's Biggest Lesson is an attempt at making a new Guinness World Record and in support of the Global Campaign for Education will demand governments and world leaders to take urgent action to end illiteracy and get every child into school.  

What's the theme?

The World's Biggest Lesson is on Quality Education to End Exclusion.  There are currently 72 million children who are excluded from school, for many reasons including being poor, living in conflict areas, being disabled or orphaned.  There are also 774 million adults who have not been able to benefit from education, or learn how to read and write.

What are Guinness World Records™?

Guinness World Records™ keep a record of all world records (ie, when something is the biggest, fastest, longest in the world for the very first time and therefore makes history).  Guinness World Records™ will therefore decide if our record is broken or not.  You can find out more about Guinness World Records™ by visiting their website - www.guinnessworldrecords.com.

When will it happen?

The World Record Attempt is happening on 23rd April 2008 at three different times:  4am GMT, 8am GMT and 3pm GMT.  In order to be counted in the world record breaking attempt every lesson must take place at one of these three times.  You can find what time this is for you locally by visiting www.timeanddate.com.

How long is the lesson?

The lesson takes 30 minutes to teach, and can be fitted into a longer schedule of events.

Who can take part?

Anyone, regardless of age or gender, can take part in learning the lesson - boys, girls, men and women; school children, and children who never normally see the inside of a classroom.  Politicians are especially welcome as the message is aimed at them taking action on education.  In order to break the world record we need as many people taking part as possible, so everyone is encouraged to join in.

Where should the lesson take place?

It can take place anywhere you want: a school, a training centre, a library, a church, a community hall, even an open space. Many teachers are inviting politicians and other important local people to show them the conditions of the school.

Do I need to register to take part?

No - it's not compulsory to register in order to take part.  But if you are someone planning to put on a lesson we recommend you register as it will help us plan, keep a track of numbers and also enables you to receive updates prior to the World's Biggest Lesson. 

How can I teach the lesson?

The lesson plan can be downloaded here.  In order to count as part of the world record, you must follow sections A-F of the lesson plan, and start at one of the times 4am GMT, 8am GMT and 3pm GMT on the Wednesday 23rd April.  You can adapt the examples used in the lesson to suit the local context.  Before or after the lesson you may want to include an introduction to any politicians or celebrities, speeches, and any other performances that you see fitting.

Must the lesson be taught by a professional teacher?

No. The 'teacher' could also be a celebrity, a traditional leader, or even a student.  Many groups are planning to ask adults (including head teachers, politicians, parents, school management staff and local officials) to sit in the classroom and give children a chance to be the teachers!

Are there any materials and posters I can use?

Yes there is a global poster design for the World's Biggest Lesson, and leaflets.  These can be adapted to suit the needs of your country.  They can be downloaded here.

How do we verify our successful participation?

• Teach the lesson according to the lesson plan.
• Use the test at the end of the lesson plan to check that the students have learnt something in the lesson. It is not necessary to achieve a specific pass rate.
• Take the roll at the end of the lesson. Names of all participants to be entered on the Report Back form.
• Two people of repute must sign and date the form.
• Submit the Report Back form as soon as you can, but by the latest 10th May 2008.  

What is the Report Back form?

As soon as you finish the World's Biggest Lesson you must fill in the Report Back in order for your effort to be counted in this world record breaking attempt.  Be sure to include everyone's name as every person will increase our efforts in breaking this world record.  The Report Back form is the same as the validation, authentication or witness form. 

Where do we send our Report Back form? 

You can submit the Report Back form online, or by email, fax or post.  You need to report back by the 10th May to be included. 

Online: Report back here

Email: validation@campaignforeducation.org 

Fax: ++ 2711 447 4138             

Post: Global Campaign for Education, PO Box 521733, Saxonwold 2132, South Africa

How many people will take part?

We expect millions of children and adults from all over the world will take part in over 100 countries.

How will I know if the world record was successful?

By ticking the box for updates in the registration form or the report back we will send you an update of whether we break the record number for the World's Biggest Lesson and how many took part.  Because it will take time for these numbers to be counted and verified, the final news regarding this should be expected in June 2008. 

Official Rules and Regulations

• The record is for the most people learning a subject at the same time.
• The lesson must last for 30 minutes.
• The lesson must take place on 23rd April 2008 at one of the three official World Record Attempt times: 4 am GMT, 8 am GMT or 3 pm GMT. It must last 30 minutes.
• Each class or group taking part in the lesson must have a representative who will teach the lesson and who will return the Report Back form. This person can be the teacher.
• The lesson plan must be followed, including the test.
• Those learning must not have a vast prior knowledge of the full contents of the lesson.
• You must send the signed Report Back form after the lesson for it to count towards the World Record. This can be faxed, scanned and e-mailed, or posted.