Since March 2021, VVOB has been implementing a regional project in Uganda, Zambia, and Rwanda named IT'S PLAY (Improving Teaching Skills on Playful Learning for Africa’s Youngest), to promote learning through play (LtP) in pre-primary education. This photostory depicts the progress made so far.
In Uganda, the project is being piloted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports and Gulu Core Primary Teachers’ College. The focus is on emergent literacy and numeracy development, using Teacher Professional Development (TPD) as the starting point.
After a year of development of training materials, capacity building of MoES officials, and training of LtP facilitators at college level, an initial training to ECD teachers was conducted in January 2023.
Learning through play (LtP) is an effective way for children to learn, as it promotes wellbeing and active engagement while enhancing their overall development and progress of young learners. This approach can be incorporated anywhere and at any time, making it a flexible and convenient option. This pilot project targeted a select group of ECD teachers and trained them on how to integrate the LtP methodology in their teaching and assessment.
The training was attended by key ministry officials, including the Commissioner of Basic Education, Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi. Speaking to the teachers at the training workshop, he appreciated VVOB’s efforts in strengthening and horning the skills of the ECE teachers.
One of the facilitators from the MoES Basic education department, Immaculate Ajibo, explains the importance of using the existing environment to develop pre-writing skills of young learners. Some teachers practiced this skill with their own children that had attended the training.
Ms Immaculate emphasised how developing pre-writing skills while using the environment is fun, helps in the development of finer muscle growth, while helping the children to appreciate nature. When they interact with sand, leaves, water they discover things that help to develop the child's brain, heart and their hands physical. When they appreciate water, sad, leaves. They learn lessons that cannot be forgotten
Play is a natural and enjoyable way for children to learn, explore, and discover the world around them.
Each morning of the training days, the teachers went through the routine morning circle exercise, one important aspect of ECE that promotes learning through play. During the morning circle, children come together to sing songs, share stories, and participate in group activities, which helps them develop important social and communication skills. The morning circle also helps children feel connected to their peers and teachers, creating a positive and supportive learning environment.
These teachers have now returned to their schools and will be delivering the LtP methodology during their teaching. Tutors from Gulu cPTC will be visiting these ECD centers for regular coaching and support to the teachers.
A review of the training and training materials will then be conducted to finalize the training package and have it validated by the relevant MoES departments and agencies. VVOB hopes to attract further funding to scale this kind of training to more PTCs
