21 Jul 2012

TANZANIA / SCHOOLS

Tanzania’s primary schools are moving from traditional methods of 'teacher chalk and talk’ to lesson plans emphasizing a participatory approach to teaching. UNICEF

Posted at: July 21, 2012 12:02 am

Duration: 02:49

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: TANZANIA / SCHOOLS 
TRT: 2.49 
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / SWAHILI / NATS

DATELINE: 28 MARCH 2012, MAKETE, TANZANIA

SHOTLIST:

1. Various shots, classroom
2. SOUNDBITE (Swahili) Hekima, Student:
"Before, teachers would come in with no teaching aids at all. Nowadays they come into the class and teach with teaching aids and you get to understand things better. We also get the chance to make these tools ourselves which increases our skills and memory. When you get back home you can make something similar, therefore learn even more. I have been able to make a clock face and am able to tell the time."
3. Various shots, classroom teacher training
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Richard Chediel, Principal Education Officer, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training: 
"This is a programme that targets all primary school teachers in Tanzania and it's intended to improve the quality of teaching and learning in primary schools in Tanzania."
5. Med shot, teacher holding a small cardboard box in front of the class
6. SOUNDBITE (Swahili) Magdalena Sanga, English teacher at Makete Primary School:
"From the time we had our first seminar and were given practical modules to read, to being encouraged to ask colleagues for help, I feel more comfortable in the classroom. It has truly helped me to see and understand many new teaching methods we didn't know existed. This has helped us achieve exam success at our school."
7. SOUNDBITE (Swahili) Gwakisa Kayinga, INSET District Coordinator, Makete District:
"The first benefit we get from this programme is better teachers in the problematic subjects, which are maths and English. The second benefit, is that it has enabled teachers to remain at their workplace. This means that teachers are able to study while at work. Gaining new skills which will help them without causing a shortage of teachers in the school."
8. Various shots, classroom
9. SOUNDBITE (Swahili) Hekima, Student:
"Teachers are now keen on finding out if we understand compared to before. Now when a teacher enters the class you understand them and what they want you to learn. They ask you if you have understood them."
10. Wide shot, boys with their hands up in classroom

STORYLINE:

Tanzania's primary schools are moving from traditional methods of 'teacher chalk and talk' to lesson plans emphasizing a participatory approach to teaching

Twelve-year-old Hekima and Leurola are benefitting from a more interactive and child-friendly approach to learning, here at the Makete Primary School in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

In the past they were too afraid to ask questions in case they were punished, and were often subjected to unstructured lessons delivered by teachers using no visual aids and no interaction.

SOUNDBITE (Swahili) Hekima, Student:
"Before, teachers would come in with no teaching aids at all. Nowadays they come into the class and teach with teaching aids and you get to understand things better. We also get the chance to make these tools ourselves which increases our skills and memory. When you get back home you can make something similar, therefore learn even more. I have been able to make a clock face and am able to tell the time."

The Government of Tanzania, with the support of UNICEF, has launched a strategy for primary schools which challenges traditional teaching methods of 'teacher chalk and talk' and encourages teachers to create fun and exciting lesson plans with stimulating materials, using set modules which emphasize a participatory approach.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Richard Chediel, Principal Education Officer, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training:
"This is a programme that targets all primary school teachers in Tanzania and it's intended to improve the quality of teaching and learning in primary schools in Tanzania."

Through practical modules, teachers are encouraged to consult with colleagues.

SOUNDBITE (Swahili) Magdalena Sanga, English teacher at Makete Primary School
"From the time we had our first seminar and were given practical modules to read, to being encouraged to ask colleagues for help, I feel more comfortable in the classroom. It has truly helped me to see and understand many new teaching methods we didn't know existed. This has helped us achieve exam success at our school."

SOUNDBITE (Swahili) GwakisaKayinga, INSET District Coordinator, Makete District:
"The first benefit we get from this programme is better teachers in the problematic subjects, which are maths and English. The second benefit is that it has enabled teachers to remain at their workplace. This means that teachers are able to study while at work. Gaining new skills which will help them without causing a shortage of teachers in the school."

Children are encouraged to work in small groups and find solutions by openly asking questions. This open and participatory approach means that students like Hekima and Leurola have an improved understanding of subjects taught and better overall performance in the classroom.

SOUNDBITE (Swahili) Hekima, Student:
"Teachers are now keen on finding out if we understand compared to before. Now when a teacher enters the class you understand them and what they want you to learn. They ask you if you have understood them."