A New Year - January 2013

After the buzz of Chris's visit, the post Christmas and New Year period was relatively quiet.

There was, though, a very lively Scottish New Year party in Kigali, thanks to Andy and Frances.

 

Back in Musambira, I planted bean, nasturtium and sweet pea seeds, which grew at an amazing speed, sprouting in less than a week 

 

 

 

The guard's hen made a mess of the garden but was missed when she was gone.....

 

 

 

 

There were walks with friends along beautiful and well trodden paths through the village to visit Rwandan friends .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some days, Pascal came for his English lesson.

 

 

 

 

And then there was inevitable housework - all by hand

 

 

 

 

I was able to use this time before the new school year started, to plan and set up school visits and teacher training workshops.

During the first week of January, work began in earnest.

Teachers in Rwanda get very little in the way of in-service training or continuous professional development, as we do in our country. At present it is up to NGOs like VSO or Handicapped International to provide teaching and SEN training at the invitation of the government through the Rwandan Education Board. An additional problem is that teachers have to teach the older classes in English, when many speak very little, or at best, do not have a good working knowledge. The official language of Rwanda changed from French to English in 2008. When asked what they would like in the way of training, head teachers always request English lessons for their staff, being aware of the difficulties. 

 

However, the brief of VSO Education is not specifically to teach English, but train primary teachers in 'learner-centred methods'.
To improve the learning in primary schools, teachers are being encouraged to include the pupils much more in activities in the lessons. This means teachers using methods other than those where the pupils just sit and listen.
The teacher worshops are run in a participatory way, including many learner-centred activities to demonstrate how the pupil lessons will develop in the future. This is the hope!

 

By using activities and teaching methods which allow pupils to use all their senses, it is well documented that learners can learn more effectively. If pupils just sit and listen, they remember only 5%. Pupils need to have opportunities to use visual, auditory, oral, tactile and kinesthetic activities to learn well. For those with a disability, this way of learning is even more vital to them accessing something of every lesson.

 

Beginning lessons with an energiser, which involves counting or using language and actions, is one way. Shake down, change the action, circle ball or an action song are some examples and have proved to be very popular with teachers during workshops. Pupils get the chance to see, hear, speak, touch and move their bodies whilst learning.

 

Knowing and using the pupils names, giving praise and wearing a smile, are some of the ways teachers will enable pupils to feel happy and be more able to learn in a positive learning environment.

 

 

Providing pupils with opportunities to 'pair and share' and discuss their ideas together before answering or sharing their ideas with the class is another important way of giving learners opportunities to learn more effectively.

The feedback after training is often very positive, with teachers surprised at how much they had enjoyed the participatory nature of the workshops. The request was for more of the same but with subject specific content for the five primary subjects of maths, English, Kinyarwanda, science and social studies (geography history citizenship). They are also keen to know how to make and use teaching resources using local materials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But now, due to unforseen circumstances, my time in Rwanda has come to a sudden end.
The need to return home has overwhelmed me.

However, I believe that all is not lost. This is not a closure, just a change of direction.
The work I have begun with teachers and head teachers will be continued by colleagues.
I will keep my links with Rwanda by supporting some of the volunteer projects from the UK.
Researching, editing and contributing ideas can all work well by email.
Now I have an understanding of capacity building, secure livelihoods and sustainable development which will enable me to share my experiences and understanding of the culture, education and life in Rwanda. I have learnt so much from my experiences and from the people of Rwanda.

Now my aim is to give talks to groups and educational organisations who want to know more about international development and opportunities in an African country such as Rwanda. I would very much like to contribute to a wider understanding and acceptance of life in a developing country.
If anyone reading my blog, or knows of anyone, would like to see and hear about my African experiences, please contact me via my email.

 

And finally, I would like to thank all of my VSO colleagues and friends in Rwanda for their support and friendship. I look forward to meeting you again when you are in the UK.