Principal Lisa Saha’s approach at British Columbia School is redefining what education means for the next generation.
Background
Mrs. Lisa Saha leads British Columbia School, where her work focuses on providing students with a more personalised and well-rounded education. With an early academic background in biomedical sciences and professional experience both in Bangladesh and abroad, she has introduced teaching methods that encourage curiosity, build confidence, and respect local values while maintaining a global perspective.
Why the shift from biomedical science to education?
When Mrs. Saha was studying biomedical sciences, she never imagined she would one day be running a school. During her summer breaks, she worked with children in Bangladesh and began noticing a significant gap between how students learned here compared to children in the UK and the Netherlands.
“Over there, students were encouraged to ask questions, think independently, and make connections,” she says. “Here, most of the focus was on memorising information for exams. I kept thinking, if I ever came back for good, I’d want to change that.”
That realisation ultimately shaped her work at British Columbia School, where she now leads a team committed to rethinking how education can better serve children in Bangladesh.
How does British Columbia School help students succeed?
At British Columbia School, every child is encouraged to learn in a way that suits them best. Teachers design lessons around each student’s strengths and learning pace, and the school develops its own books and materials to ensure that no child feels left behind.
“We focus on teaching children how to think, not just what to think,” Mrs. Saha explains. “When students understand the ‘why’ behind something, they learn more deeply and feel more confident.”
Rather than pressuring children with constant tests and grades, teachers encourage exploration, questioning, and learning without fear of making mistakes. This philosophy blends the discipline of the Japanese education system, the academic depth of the British curriculum, and the cultural grounding of Bangladeshi values.
What’s different about the new junior section?
For its youngest learners, British Columbia School has designed the junior section around a learning-through-play approach. Lessons are hands-on and encourage children to explore topics they are naturally curious about, rather than simply memorising facts. The goal is to build understanding, not just retain information for exams.
“Children need to enjoy what they’re learning if we want them to truly understand and remember it,” says Mrs. Saha.
One of the most distinctive features of the junior section is its Arabic language programme. In Bangladesh, Arabic is often taught through memorisation of Qur’anic verses, sometimes without full comprehension of their meaning. At British Columbia School, students learn Arabic as a complete language—covering vocabulary, grammar, and structure—so they can read and understand the Qur’an independently, without relying on translations.
Classes are taught by an instructor who spent most of her life in Saudi Arabia and is fluent in Arabic.
“In Bangladesh, the Qur’an holds immense importance, but its true meaning is often lost in translation,” says Mrs. Saha. “We want our students to have a direct connection.”
Parents frequently say this approach gives their children a deeper and more personal understanding of their faith.
The junior section is further supported by teachers trained in international teaching methodologies, carefully adapted to align with Bangladeshi culture and values. This balance helps educators connect with every child—whether shy or confident, advanced or still catching up—and ensures that each student is supported at their own pace.
What’s next for British Columbia School?
The next major initiative at British Columbia School is the development of a specialised institute for students with learning differences such as dyslexia and ADHD.
“Many children with these needs end up feeling like they’re not good enough for school,” Mrs. Saha says. “That’s simply not true. Every child deserves to be taught in a way that works for them.”
The institute will be designed to ensure no student feels excluded, while giving parents confidence that their children are learning in an environment where they are understood, supported, and valued.
What would you say to parents considering British Columbia School?
“We’re not here to follow the same old patterns,” says Mrs. Saha. “If you want your child to be confident, think independently, and still understand and value where they come from, that’s the kind of education we offer.”
Recognition for her work
Mrs. Saha’s contributions have earned recognition far beyond Bangladesh. In 2024, she was named School Director of the Year at the World School Summit. She also received an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Education from Maryland State University.
In 2025, she was honoured with the Innovator in Curriculum Development Award, presented at the UK’s House of Lords, and the Global Education Leader Award at the World Leaders Summit, hosted by the University of Oxford.
Admissions
British Columbia School is currently accepting applications for its early years programme. Parents who attend open days may receive up to 100% off admission fees* for spot admissions.
More information is available at britishcolumbiaschool.com.
