Six retired teachers from the UK help bring transformation to education in Sierra Leone

By Crissa Nelson

Teachers from 11 primary schools in Sierra Leone saw the classroom from their student’s perspective at an all day Transformation Education workshop lead by six retired teachers from the United Kingdom. Friday 15 January, 84 teachers gathered to learn new tools for engaging their students in hands on, experiential learning. According to the laughter and songs heard spilling out from the three classroom rotations—the teachers learned first hand how engaging, interactive teaching can lead to fun, retainable learning.

“This is a vibrant and motivating team. They have a wealth of knowledge and they want us to share in it,” Mr. Samba Conteh said. “I am blessed that Transformation Education has made it possible for my own school to benefit from making such a vibrant team available to this country.” Mr. Conteh is the Head Teacher at Modern Elementary School and was excited to learn leadership skills for how to assess his school and teachers and encourage improvements from a rotation specifically for head teachers.

Transformation Education (TE), directed by Gwen Smith, hosted this team of teachers from Mission Direct, engaging them in opportunities to work in the classrooms and with the teachers of the 11 pilot schools TE works with. Throughout their two-week visit, the team has conducted workshops everyday on diverse subject matter within individual schools. The workshop on Friday engaged all the Head Teachers and many classroom teachers in a workshop focused on specific teaching methods and administrative assessment.

“I learned about different techniques of teaching because learning is divided into three groups, audio input, visual input and aesthetic input. So to engage the children, I will tell them a story, ask them questions about it and then have them dramatize it,” Hawa V. Kamara, teacher of class six at Baptist Primary School, said.

TE works consistently in 11 public and private schools in Freetown to teach and implement a Classroom Discipline Plan (CDP) and Biblical Based Curriculum (BBC) to help teachers manage their classrooms and encourage character building learning.

“After the very first workshop I implemented the CDP in my class,” Mrs. Kamara said. “I have seen a great difference in terms of behavior. They ask permission, raise their hands, clap for each other…and the children learn more.”

“Transformation Education has really yielded good dividends in my school. With the CDP discipline has really taken shape. The children know what is expected of them,” Mr. Conteh said. “The BBC character traits are [also] very good for the children. For example, caring. The children are told about it for a whole week and by the end of the week you can see their behavior changing for the better.”

“If actually implemented, this will impact the whole education system of Sierra Leone,” he said.

TE works closely with Ministry of Education staff, Mr. Albert Karimu, who praises Transformation Education’s impact on education in Sierra Leone. “TE is very, very essential,” he said. “I am visiting schools to monitor and see if what we are teaching is being implemented, [what I have seen] is very good. There is transformation.”

Mr. Karimu recognizes and welcomes the value of outside perspectives and techniques brought by the team.

“I have been with the team all this week and it has been very successful. Most of their teaching is practical and interactive so I think the teachers will be able to take it back to their schools and implement the interactive style,” Mr. Karimu said.

Kadiatu Tarawaley, teacher of class five at Samaria Primary School, is excited to bring back what she has learned to her classroom. “These are very experienced women exchanging their methods and experience so we can apply it to our classrooms,” she said.

“[The team] really passed on their own experience to us and now I am going to pass it on [to my teachers],” Head Teacher of Mother Ester’s School, Abigail Juana said. “Transformation Education has done a good job for me and my school. It is wonderful to have TE in this country, from us others schools will be able to learn.”

http://transformationeducation.blogspot.com/
http://gwenjoy.blogspot.com/

Challenges the Head Teacher Face

Teachers and students are in the habit of not coming to school the first week after holiday.
The head teachers do not have the authority to with hold the pay of a teacher who does not come to school. So a teacher can miss weeks without a financial consequence.

God, please teach us to humble ourselves and turn from wickedness so you will heal this land.

January Head Teacher Meeting

The meeting was very productive with 10 of the 11 schools represented.
Here are some of the highlights.

1. Meditation on "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14.

2. Common understanding that TE is expecting the Head Teachers to make sure the foundation laid first term (Constructive Discipline, Biblical Based Curriculum) is firmly established. TE is willing to support, and wants to start helping to lay on the foundation additional educational concepts (Phonice, reading, writing skills...). Those faithful with few can be entrusted with much.

3. We drafted a job description for a chairman. Next month we will establish the chairmanship. They are taking ownership of the Transformation Education partnership.

4. We coordinated schedules so the short term British teacher mentor team can participate at each school.

5. We mapped out an coordinated Biblical Based Character traits we plan to teach during the second term.

They are taking initiative for their schools so it is a blessing to come along side and support them.

Positive Change

Head Teachers were asked to write, “What positive Change has the BBC provided for your school in October?” Here are their responses.

1. The BBC helps the children to know the meaning of some words
2. It helps children to know verses in the Bible and memorize them.
3. It helps children to know some stories in the Bible
4. Children can now dramatize some stories in the Bible.
5. It helps the student to understand why they have to behave in certain ways.
6. They now have the opportunity to learn certain verses that can be used everyday.
7. They understand God’s ways better
8. Music as part of our life
9. Children and Teachers alike are being motivated by the Bible Stories.
10. It helps to increase vocabulary
11. Lateness is being minimizes as children hate to miss assembly (Bible story time) now.
12. Teachers find the integration aspect of the BBC interesting: They can see how one subject is related to another.
13. Children enjoy the Bible Stories: arouses friendliness among kids
14. It has made the children to respect elders
15. It has brought both workers and children obedience
16. It promoted children into a standard that is helping them to fear God and love others.
17. It had made them to persevere in all things and helps them also to stand out to be role models
18. class participation
19. class control
20. Attitudes of children and teachers have changed
21. love for one another
22. It helps to mold the character of the children
23. It helps them to be friendly
24. Children are now able to recite memory verses
25. They can tell stories from the Bible.
26. It has helped them in their reading skills
27. Attitudes got from the Bible stories are seen portrayed by some of the pupils

Challenges of today:

1. Trying to teach while hearing the neighbor teacher repeatedly flogging several of his students.
2. Knowing that the teacher of the class where I was providing a “model classroom management and teaching method lesson” is one of the harshest floggers I have ever worked with.

I believe the teachers who think you have to harshly flog African children can and want to be more loving to their students, but they need encouragement...God alone can provide the support and encouragement they need. Will you pray with me for these and other teachers as they transform to in their discipline methods? Prayers for love, patience, self control, creativity and wisdom are welcome. God can do it!

Practicing an interactive Christmas Concert idea with the Head Teachers

If you want a copy of the script of this great Christmas Story presentation e-mail gwenjoy@gmail.com.

Biblical Based Character Words

The character traits our 11 pilot schools have taught so far this year are.

Obedience: Do what I am told without grumbling.
Creativity: Doing something in a new way "God saw all he made and it was very good." Gen. 1:31
Responsibility: Doing what I know I should do.
Perseverance: To keep trying even when something is difficult.
Honesty: telling the truth, and admitting any wrongdoing.
Integrity: Being honest and trustworthy in all you do and say.
Reliability: Being trustworthy at all times
Sportsmanship: Playing fairly and behaving the same whether you win or lose.
Love: Caring for others with God in mind