In many developing countries, children who do not show great potential in school often fall between the cracks of the education system. This is the case in Humjibre, and both parents and educators often invest more effort and resources into children who are thriving at school since they are seen as the ones who will benefit the family more in the long run by continuing on to higher education, eventually securing a good job.
Overcrowded classrooms are another challenge to young students in Humjibre, and it’s not unusual for public nursery school class sizes to exceed 100 children. This type of setting is problematic for children who are falling behind in class and may require extra attention from their teachers to acquire the skills necessary to succeed at the primary school levels. Once these children reach primary school, average class size in Humjibre is anywhere from 50-60 students, with limited teachers, textbooks, and school supplies. If students are not succeeding at this level they are not given the attention and materials they need to do well in school. Unfortunately, many students may even end up dropping out before reaching junior high school.
GHEI’s Early Childhood Literacy program aims to address these concerns by enhancing the early education experience through supplemental classes for students who are struggling in school. This is the latest addition to our education programming, consisting of two concurrent classes meeting three times a week for two hours. The students are taught a phonics-based curriculum, along with reading and writing workshops, while incorporating purposeful play, songs and poems. Small classroom sizes mean that every child receives the attention he or she needs, while our ample books and school supplies equip the children with the tools needed to succeed in school. Our ECL program enables our young students to build their creativity and critical thinking skills while actively participating in an encouraging and supportive environment.
GHEI teacher Ernest Badu, affectionately known as Saga (short for Sagacious), spoke with me about his work as a teacher in the ECL program and his interactions with the students.
How did you first become part of GHEI?
I was part of the first group of scholarship recipients in 2005, and we completed senior high school in June of 2008. In August of that year, I realized how much GHEI had helped us with these scholarships and I wanted to give back. So I became a volunteer from 2008 until 2010. By 2010 they saw that I was doing well as a volunteer teacher so they asked me to join the staff full time.
What is your typical day with ECL like?
I love ECL too much! I teach ECL from 2-4 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. From 2:00 - 2:30 we have table activities - things like puzzles, Play-doh, math games, blocks and many others. We also have some books for them to read during this activity time. After that we start classes, 2:30 – 4:00. We look at the days of the week then we look at calendar dates. Next we go through songs, like “Head and Shoulders,” and “If you’re happy and you know it.” The children really enjoy them. The students might sit for a long time, so the main purpose of singing songs is to get them engaged and enjoy themselves, letting them relax before we go on to other lessons. After songs we look at the alphabet. We look at two letters each day; the sound of the letters, and then key words that use those letters. We then give them a board and a marker to practice writing the letter. Next we’ll read to them with two books each day. We also have “choice-time,” whereby students can choose their favourite activities and play. The main purpose of ECL is to develop their skills in the English language by promoting literacy and purposeful play.
How do you make sure the students understand what you are teaching with them?
We always review everything we have been working on in ECL to refresh the minds of the students and make sure they understand. So before moving on to new material each day, we’ll go over the material from the day before. If they don’t understand what we are trying to say, we’ll translate it to them in our local language. (Sefwi)
On average how many students are in each class?
For ECL 1 we have 14 students. ECL 2 we have 10 students.
In your experience, what do the students enjoy most about the ECL program?
Yeah, they really like the table activities and all the songs we sing. They have so much fun during these times. They also really like practicing their letters with their board and markers.
What about yourself? What do you enjoy most about the program?
As a teacher, it’s given me great experience in teaching the little kids. Now I’ve learned how to control the students’ behaviour - this is easy for me now. Also how to get the students to really love my lessons and the way I teach.
What lessons has your job taught you?
I’ve learned a lot in being patient. Sometimes the students just want to do their own thing, and it can be very difficult to deal with children. You’ll tell them not to do something and then they’ll go and do it right away! So patience is important. (laughs)
I love teaching. Teachers help people to become accountants, bankers, doctors, lawyers and so on. So I know that hard work bears a fruit!
Overcrowded classrooms are another challenge to young students in Humjibre, and it’s not unusual for public nursery school class sizes to exceed 100 children. This type of setting is problematic for children who are falling behind in class and may require extra attention from their teachers to acquire the skills necessary to succeed at the primary school levels. Once these children reach primary school, average class size in Humjibre is anywhere from 50-60 students, with limited teachers, textbooks, and school supplies. If students are not succeeding at this level they are not given the attention and materials they need to do well in school. Unfortunately, many students may even end up dropping out before reaching junior high school.
GHEI’s Early Childhood Literacy program aims to address these concerns by enhancing the early education experience through supplemental classes for students who are struggling in school. This is the latest addition to our education programming, consisting of two concurrent classes meeting three times a week for two hours. The students are taught a phonics-based curriculum, along with reading and writing workshops, while incorporating purposeful play, songs and poems. Small classroom sizes mean that every child receives the attention he or she needs, while our ample books and school supplies equip the children with the tools needed to succeed in school. Our ECL program enables our young students to build their creativity and critical thinking skills while actively participating in an encouraging and supportive environment.
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| Ernest "Saga" Badu |
How did you first become part of GHEI?
I was part of the first group of scholarship recipients in 2005, and we completed senior high school in June of 2008. In August of that year, I realized how much GHEI had helped us with these scholarships and I wanted to give back. So I became a volunteer from 2008 until 2010. By 2010 they saw that I was doing well as a volunteer teacher so they asked me to join the staff full time.
What is your typical day with ECL like?I love ECL too much! I teach ECL from 2-4 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. From 2:00 - 2:30 we have table activities - things like puzzles, Play-doh, math games, blocks and many others. We also have some books for them to read during this activity time. After that we start classes, 2:30 – 4:00. We look at the days of the week then we look at calendar dates. Next we go through songs, like “Head and Shoulders,” and “If you’re happy and you know it.” The children really enjoy them. The students might sit for a long time, so the main purpose of singing songs is to get them engaged and enjoy themselves, letting them relax before we go on to other lessons. After songs we look at the alphabet. We look at two letters each day; the sound of the letters, and then key words that use those letters. We then give them a board and a marker to practice writing the letter. Next we’ll read to them with two books each day. We also have “choice-time,” whereby students can choose their favourite activities and play. The main purpose of ECL is to develop their skills in the English language by promoting literacy and purposeful play.
How do you make sure the students understand what you are teaching with them?
We always review everything we have been working on in ECL to refresh the minds of the students and make sure they understand. So before moving on to new material each day, we’ll go over the material from the day before. If they don’t understand what we are trying to say, we’ll translate it to them in our local language. (Sefwi)
On average how many students are in each class?For ECL 1 we have 14 students. ECL 2 we have 10 students.
In your experience, what do the students enjoy most about the ECL program?
Yeah, they really like the table activities and all the songs we sing. They have so much fun during these times. They also really like practicing their letters with their board and markers.
What about yourself? What do you enjoy most about the program?
As a teacher, it’s given me great experience in teaching the little kids. Now I’ve learned how to control the students’ behaviour - this is easy for me now. Also how to get the students to really love my lessons and the way I teach.
What lessons has your job taught you?
I’ve learned a lot in being patient. Sometimes the students just want to do their own thing, and it can be very difficult to deal with children. You’ll tell them not to do something and then they’ll go and do it right away! So patience is important. (laughs)
I love teaching. Teachers help people to become accountants, bankers, doctors, lawyers and so on. So I know that hard work bears a fruit!
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