Inspire, Educate and Empower Rwanda (IEE) has concluded a two-day workshop for 30 Continuous Professional Development Advisors (CPDAs) who will be re-deployed to all districts in Rwanda to support skill development for all Sector and School-based Mentors to further support effective implementation of the basic education competence-based curriculum in all public and Government-aided schools. Learning through Play as a pedagogical approach is one of the recent additions to Rwanda’s efforts in in-service teacher development. The LEGO Foundation through UNICEF Rwanda is complementing Rwanda Basic Education Board efforts to effectively implement the competence-based curriculum, using play as one of the learner-centred pedagogical approaches.
The aim of the two-day workshop was to equip the CPDAs with more skills to understand better their responsibilities, establishing relationships and implementing their work plans. With the help of the IEE CPD coordinators, this program targets to benefit all the 30 district in Rwanda. Direct beneficiaries include 2,900 School-Based Mentors, about 14,500 primary school teachers, 2,900 Directors of Studies, 2,900 School General Assembly Committee Members, 30 District Education Officers in Charge of pre-primary and primary, 30 Vice Mayors in Charge of Social Affairs and 416 Sector Education Inspectors, for all to understand the usefulness and practicalities of using play to facilitate children’s learning.
While officially opening the workshop, the IEE Country Director Emmanuel Murenzi encouraged both the CPDAs and CPD Coordinators to collaborate with district, sector, school and community stakeholders in advocacy for play-based teaching and learning. A part of this programme is as component to support pre-service teacher training, with a focus on supporting Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) in preparation of teachers to support learning in primary schools. Under this programme component, about 317 TTC Tutors, 16 TTC principals, 16 TTC Directors of Studies and 5,221 Student teachers will be supported through the TTC-based mentorship model, implemented by Pedagogical Advisors deployed to each of the TTCs.
“I understand part of my responsibility being about doing analysis before implementing any training, setting goals, evaluation tools, among other activities, for a Competency Based Mentorship program”, says Christopher Bigirimana, CPDA in Rutsiro district
Among other aspects, participants shared ideas on the use of lesson plans, scheme of work and curriculum, all which a good trainer needs to be aware of. Career guidance in public and Government-aided schools across the country will also be conducted, targeting 51 REB Staff, 1,489 Directors of Studies and training of trainers on career guidance
During the same workshop, the IEE Deputy Country Director Betty Kabera called upon participants to build good relationships while performing their duties. “Establishing rapport is essential, rather than just diving in to the work plan. This is a foundation for a conducive working atmosphere that is the basis of your work as technical support personnel for quality teaching and learning”, says Kabera
Racheal Owomugisha is another CPD Advisor in Rwamagana district who related her responsibility to training and making her beneficiaries aware of what the program is intended for and aiming at good results through empowering them with quality skills.
All components under this programme are intended to form a favorable environment for the successful implementation and sustainability of Learning through Play program in Rwandan schools in the long term.
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