Earlier this month we hosted our first ever workshop for government and school officials in Kigali. We introduced everyone to our teachers and pupils, demonstrating how our Teacher Training and NOEC books are used in the classroom. Can you believe, this was the first time an education workshop actually brought the school to those in the position to decide the curriculum? I cannot tell you what a thrill this was for us. Our guests were impressed with our live demonstrations and the media featured us on the evening news. I’m rounding up footage to share with you, but in the meantime one of our guests was kind enough to capture my talk with her iPhone. Have a look by clicking on the video below.
This workshop was attended by the Minister of Education, Director General of Rwanda Education Board (REB), Heads of Department from REB (curriculum, examinations, teacher-development, inspectorate and quality assurance), Senator Gallican, members of Board of Trustees of REB, University of Rwanda (representative), Gasabo district office (representative), District Education Office (Gasabo), Head of the Association of Teacher-Training Colleges, Head teachers from non-project schools, head teachers and teachers from our project schools, 40 Primary 1 pupils (seven year olds) from Gasabo and Gikomero primary schools.
There is now much interest in our NOEC books. The books have been submitted to the REB Textbook Approval Committee, for approval to be used in all schools. If accepted, there will arise the question of funding for printing and supplying the books.
Other accomplishments this year include becoming members of Technical Working Groups at Rwanda Education Board; meeting people in all levels of the education system: Senators, MPs, Ministry of Education, Rwanda Education Board, Trustees of the Rwanda Education Board, District Education Officer (Gasabo District), Teacher-Training Colleges (Principals), University of Rwanda; Memorandum of Understanding with Gasabo District, and with Rwanda Education Board. These are to run our programme and to use the NOEC Books on our programme.
Naturally, on top of all this, we continue with our daily work in each school observing lessons, and giving in-service training session to all teachers. The lesson observations allow us to guide teachers and improve their teaching ability which has led to increased confidence in all our teachers. In the school year, January to November 2017, we have seen huge results using NOEC Book One with Primary 1 (P1) pupils. Their English excels, and is better than that of P4, P5 and P6 pupils!
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