International
Learner Agency Paradigm Conference 2026
Guidelines
Learner Agency Paradigm Conference 2026
Beaconhouse has led the way in pioneering Learner Agency, empowering students to take ownership of their learning. This journey began in 2021 with Regional LAP Conferences, evolved into the National LAP Conference in 2023, and culminated in the landmark International LAP Conference (ILAP) in 2025, part of Beaconhouse’s 50th Jubilee celebrations.
Held on 23rd April 2025, ILAP 2025 brought together Beaconhouse Pakistan and Beaconhouse International schools in a hybrid event, highlighting the power of student and teacher agency to drive meaningful educational change.
LAP Journey
Regional LAP Conference
National LAP Conference & "How Teachers prepare Learners o Thrive in the World" By James Anderson
Learnership: Raising the Status of Learning from an Act to an Act by James Anderson
International Lap Conference
Rationale
ILAP 2026 marks the next chapter in this journey, inviting participation from schools worldwide, BSS and non-BSS (public and private) alike. This year’s conference expands beyond Beaconhouse, embracing a global audience through a cutting-edge hybrid format.
Aligned with the five strategic intents shared by CEO Mr Kasim Kasuri during the Jubilee year:
Fostering global participation and digital fluency through a dynamic hybrid model.
Enabling engagement without travel constraints.
Minimizing environmental impact while maintaining rich interactions.
Ensuring access for diverse participants from any location.
Connecting national and international perspectives for lasting educational change.
At its core, ILAP 2026 explores the intersection of AI in education, learner agency, and teacher agency, advancing conversations that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and contribute to global, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable education.
Learner and Teacher Agency
Agency is innate and resides within every individual. At ILAP, we recognise both students and teachers as agentic participants.
Student submissions are referred to as Projects.
Teacher submissions are referred to as Initiatives.
“Those teachers who are students of their own impact are the teachers who are the most
influential in raising students’ achievement.”
— John Hattie, Visible Learning for Teachers
“Learner Agency is not something we can give; it must be developed by and within the learner.”
— James Anderson, Learnership (2023)
Strategic Intent and SDG Alignment
Participants are invited to submit Projects and Initiatives rooted in any one of the strategic intents mentioned, linked to relevant United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
Let your ideas shine and show how agency can drive real change for a better world!
01
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Age Group: 3 to 18 years
Open to: All schools—Beaconhouse (BSS) and non-BSS, national (public and private) and
international.Strategic Intent Selection: Participation in one Strategic Intent is required (all five are not
mandatory)
02
Number of Entries Allowed
Each school is encouraged to submit
More than one student project per Strategic Intent
More than one teacher initiative per Strategic Intent
03
Entry Types
- Individual or group entries are allowed
- For group entries, submit one entry per project/initiative, listing all participants
04
Project Criteria
- Must be a working prototype
- Must have clearly defined objectives and a way
forward
05
Submission Platform
All entries must be submitted via the official
LAP website following the provided criteria
Timeline of ILAP Process and Submissions
- Announcement of ILAP 2026
- Learners and teachers sign up via the ILAP website
- For all registered BSS and non-BSS schools
- Conducted via the ILAP website
- Covers concept, eligibility, and submission process
- Submit one project/initiative per Strategic Intent
- Group entries must list all participants
- Selected Projects and Initiatives will be announced via the
ILAP website and email
- Conducted online and face-to-face, based on location
- Rehearsal schedules will be shared in advance.
- Virtual presenters will join online.
- In-person presenters will rehearse at designated venues
- The culmination of ILAP 2026, showcasing agentic learners and
educators from around the world
Format and Medium of Project/ Initiative Presentations
Panel Discussion
Learners Led Panel Discussion
Interviews
Conduct interviews with relevant individuals
TED Talk
Presentation in the style of a TEDtalk
Immersive Performance
Engage audience through immersive performance
Role Play
Act out scenarios through role play
Product Demonstration
Showcase the product’s features and benefits
Interactive Sessions
Engage the audience in interactive discussionTEDtalk
Using AI Bots
Integrate an AI Bot for interaction
Criteria of Selection
The projects will be shortlisted based on the following criteria
The project concept is innovative.
The project has a well-defined process
The project has an overarching impact
The project fulfils a sustainable model
Click the link to access further details
References
Anderson, J. (2023). Learnership: Raising the status of learning from an act to an art in
your school. James Anderson. https://www.amazon.com/Learnership-Raising-status-
learning-school/dp/0645912905
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and
Development. Prentice Hall.
