01 Feb 2022

Teachers and learners have appreciated the Learning at the Right Level (TaRL) education programme experience.

The appreciation came to light during last week’s coaching workshop, where Maun region teachers were trained on interactive learning, a teaching methodology through teaching aids such as stones, sticks and rubber bands.

In an interview at the simulation activity at Boseja Primary School, Ms Peggy Moloi, a Standard Four teacher at Shorobe Primary School  described the workshop as an eye-opener that enabled them to focus more on learners’ strengths and abilities.

She stated that children did not grasp knowledge at the same rate, hence it was important to pay attention to their abilities and target their shortcomings.

Ms Moloi indicated that in most cases, teachers applied an all-inclusive method without classifying learners according to their abilities, which she said disadvantaged the not-so-quick-to-grasp learners.

She said TaRL would enable teacher to nurture struggling children so that they could catch up with the rest of their peers,  adding that the methodology was inexpensive because it envolved the use of abundant objects found in the school environment.

Matlola Primary School teacher, Mr Otsile Chendo reiterated that TaRL was a brilliant approach to education that aimed to bring the teacher down to the level of learners.

He said it was important for a teacher to take time off the board and sit or squat to interact with the children.

Mr Chendo said by doing so, learners would be motivated to learn more as the position itself evoked fun.

The Standard Five teacher said interactive learning catered for every child in the classroom as it allowed them to participate in practicals.

Standard Four learner, Kaitlin Molefe also apperciated the interactive learning exercise,  noting that using ice breakers to start lessons made things easier.

She said she enjoyed learning Mathematics using stones, sticks and drawing charts.

Elias Dakamo, a Standard Three learner said he was delighted to learn about tenths and units using stones because Mathematics was his favourite subject.

He indicated that from now on he would use sticks and stones to help him understand Mathematics better.

The programme facilitator, Ms Tendekai Nkwane from Young Love Botswana Organisation said she was impressed with the level of zest displayed by teachers during training, adding that by the end of the school term  her team would have visited all the 20 schools in Maun and surrounding areas to check if teachers had implemented TaRL and also evaluate academic performance of the learners.

Ms Nkwane dtressed the  importance of refresher courses for teachers. ends