SAS write up
- 1. SAS Pre- Primary Teachers Capacity Building Program (December 16 to January 2017) Sindh Education Foundation-GoS has always considered its teachers as a valuable asset in spreading quality education towards the far-flung areas of Sindh which is the ultimate motto of the foundation. Dedicated and committed towards this noble cause and as a part of its programmatic objectives the team of LSU members regularly trained and prepare the Teachers of SEF with respect to content understanding, modern teaching methodologies and practices. Teachers from the schools running under SEF Assisted Schools (SAS) program were trained by a team of trainers from the LSU in the areas of Early Childhood Education (ECE), Grade 1 & 2. These capacity building sessions focused at content enhancement through various innovative pedagogies, scheme of studies, time table and introduction of workbooks. The training was implemented in two cycles for 17 days each, where 15 days were proposed for teachers training and the last 02 days of training accommodated Head Teachers only. Breakup of days was distributed as; S # Cycle Subjects Agenda Districts Duration Teachers Schools 1 Cycle I ECE 5 Days Nausheroferoz, Sanghar, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Kashmore, Jaccobabad, Hyderabad, Matiari & Jamshoro 17 days 1500 375 G-1 5 Days (2 days English, 2 days Mathematics & 1 dayG.K) G-2 5 Days (2 days English, 2 days Mathematics & 1 dayG.K) 2 Cycle II ECE 5 Days Larkana, Kamber, Shaheed Benazirabad, Umerkot, Mithi, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Mirpurkhas, Dadu 17 days 628 157 G-1 10 Days (4 days English, 4 days Mathematics & 2 dayG.K)G-2 According to the above-mentioned details, Cycle 01 of the training catered 1500 Teachers from 375 schools. Cycle 02 of the training accommodated a total of 628 Teachers from 157 schools. As proposed 4 Teachers (including a Head Teacher) from each school showed their presence. Some of the major features of the ECE sessions covered; Holistic Development: Introduction and importance of holistic development of a child which features on the learning and growth in the following key domains i.e. Social, Physical, Cognitive, Emotional and Moral
- 2. Scheme of Studies: Participants were introduced with the concepts of scheme of studies and its academic year planning. A detailed manual was shared in this regard. This model organizes and caters the need of teachers in order to clearly understand as to which process is to be applied according to the need and with the right set of teaching strategies keeping in view the required resources. The model focuses on the breakup of learning objectives to be achieved Term, Month and Week wise. The model also includes a child assessment record sheet for each term. Learning Corner Resource basket: Keeping in view the congested classrooms situation and to deal with this problem a concept of “learning corner resource basket” for the areas of Arts & Craft, Numeracy, Language & Literacy and Early Exploration was introduced with the participants. The core essence of this resource basket was to enable the school teachers to deal with such conditions where the development of learning corners was not possible instead learners can be grouped according to the four domains where the baskets on each table can be filled with the required resources with respect to the need of designed activity. Sports Olympia: Another innovative approach towards learning was the inclusion of “Sports Olympia” which was held at the 5th day of ECE training in both cycles. The main objective of its inclusion was to prepare and enable the participants in understanding the importance of sports/physical activities in children of this age bracket. As it helps in keeping the children focused and much interested towards learning, not only learning but such physical activities are also very essential at this age group. Following is a list of games performed by the teachers of ECE during sports Olympia; Ball goal game School preparation race Bouncing game Relay race One leg hopping race Ring target game Spoon and lemon handling race Shape race PT show
- 3. Grade 1 & 2 While content enhancement with lesson planning activity as a core content was shared for the subjects of English, Mathematics and G.K for Grades 1 & 2. In connection with this, participants learnt a new approach in Lesson planning referred as the “ABC Model of Lesson Planning” this concept divides and categorizes lesson plans according to the teaching needs and requirements as; A = Deals with the Anticipation phase of the lesson planning which emphasis on brain storming/mind mapping techniques, ultimately boosting up the learning interest in the beginning and leading towards the introduction of the topic/lesson. B = Building Knowledge Phase which includes different hands on activities and pedagogy. C = Conclusion phase of the lesson planning deals with the assessment part which includes both verbal and written letters. Microteaching sessions were equipped with low cost/no cost resource development by the participants. Head Teachers Orientation Last two days of training were proposed for Head Teachers who were oriented about the overall capacity building sessions, while also introducing the manuals and workbooks which will be actively used in schools. The key areas of these two days also focused on rules and responsibilities of a Head Teacher, their academic and administrative roles, importance and development of Teacher observation tool etc. _____________________________________*________________________________________