Max Henrich
Steven Klukowski
OSHIKUKU – A total of 84 teachers from various schools in the Omusati region graduated last week from the first-ever nine-month school readiness educators’ course, organised by the Church Alliance for Orphans (Cafo).
The graduation ceremony was for pre-primary and grade one school teachers. Of the total, 79 were female and five were males.
The programme aims to create a smooth transition for learners from pre-primary to grade 1 to avoid failure in higher grades. It is also to enhance the capacity of teachers in early learning education so that they give quality education to children.
Cafo, a non-profit organisation, likewise aims at increasing enrolment and attendance at kindergartens, and it constructs playgrounds at schools with pre-primary and lower primary grades.
A total of 103 teachers from the Oshikoto region and 87 in the Oshana region also graduated last week.
Speaking at the joyous event attended by the Etayi circuit’s education inspector Hans Shikongo, Oshikuku constituency councillor Matheus Gabriel noted that he takes pride in programmes and projects aimed at uplifting people, who are at the grassroots level and those who are vulnerable.
“The programme is meant to equip educators who would particularly care for orphans in our constituency, region and country in general. It ties in well with the government’s endeavours to inclusivity and empowerment for all our citizens, irrespective of where they find themselves in society,” he added.
Gabriel then urged all people, irrespective of their ages, to grab opportunities of this kind so that they can adequately accelerate the country’s social and economic development.
Shikongo, for his part, highlighted that the teachers’ accomplishment is the beginning of their journey to make a huge difference in the future of all in the interest of a Namibian child in terms of school readiness.
“As we move forward, remember that every challenge you faced and overcame has shaped you into the individuals you are today. Graduation is a milestone, and a culmination of hard work and unwavering determination,” he observed.
Cafo regional coordinator Hileni Nashongo said: “If we build a strong educational foundation for our children, then our children will have a smooth transition, and there will be no failure in higher grades”.
She informed the gathering that the organisation is also active in the regions of Oshana, Oshikoto, Kunene, //Kharas, Omahake and Khomas.
“The programme consisted of 10 modules, and it had teachers learn the importance of helping learners when they are transitioning. It also comprised learning how to build a meaningful relationship between learners, teachers and parents, observing the child with an understanding of their needs, as well as supporting the learning environment of all the learners moving to grade one. It involved so many other important aspects too,” she said.
The teachers were also taught the importance of letting learners play, since children learn from playing.
“After two modules, pre-primary, grade one and kindergarten teachers from various schools meet and discuss how to help a child transition smoothly to another grade. This is by informing each other on what a teacher is expected to know,” continued Nashongo.
Age is nothing but a number
Sixty-year-old Yvonne Frazer, who graduated from the same course in Keetmanshoop, said she will not be held back by her age as she empowers herself in life.
“I always remind myself that all things are possible if you give it a try,” she beamed.
Frazer, who passed the school readiness course with distinction (85%), was part of 35 participants who graduated from the course that was facilitated by Cafo in collaboration with the Rodger Federer Foundation.
She is currently a teacher at the St. Matthias pre-primary school. Frazer is also a holder of a Junior Primary Teaching Diploma, which she obtained through part-time studies from the University of Namibia’s (Unam’s) southern campus last year, on top of having 29 years of experience in pre-primary teaching.
“Working with children is my passion, and since I have all the patience to educate them, I will continue to do so for as long as my health allows me,” she said.
The teacher continued: “I also assisted the St. Matthias primary school for one year when I was attached to the Learner Support Unit, helping slow learners to overcome challenges in language, mathematics and science subjects for them to qualify for promotion to the next higher grade”.
People should always be prepared to start at the bottom when pursuing opportunities for self-advancement, she advised.
//Kharas regional project officer Aldo du Preez said the project aimed to empower Early Childhood Development and junior primary education level educators to make sure learners are fully prepared and ready to be promoted to the next education level.
“A total of 35 teachers participated, and all of them passed the 80% required mark,” he said.
– sklukowski@nepc.com.na