01 Jul 2024

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL), a programme by Youth Impact has received accolades for its positive impact in transforming the education system.

Established in 2014, Youth Impact is an evidence based youth led organisation that identifies, adapts and scales up health and education programmes for young people around the world. It is  a remedial education approach supporting basic literacy and numeracy skills through differentiated instructions.

Stakeholders praised the organisation during its 10th anniversary celebration held at Maun Lodge recently for the programme that was implemented in primary in schools across the country.

They said it tackled challenges such as poor academic results and it had improved learning since pupils were taught basic skills targeted to their learning needs using fun and interactive activities.

North West regional education director, Ms Veronica Mochotli said government through the Ministry of Education and Skills Development had a mandate to ensure equitable access to quality education, from pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary including skills development and long life learning.

“We achieve this among others, through our commitment to stakeholder collaboration because we believe that as the government we cannot do it alone and we are up to deliver quality education which is a basic need and as such we need support and inputs from various sources as infrastructure, finances,” she added.

Ms Mochotli further noted that the ministry had committed itself to a Memorandum of Understanding with Youth Impact, to scale up the programme nationally citing that in North West, they regarded TaRL programme as having potential to revive and transform approach to teaching and learning in the 21st century across the country.

North West regions, she said had a history of low academic performance due to various factors noting that despite having qualified teachers, a number of learners were still challenged in literacy and numeracy operations.

She said the programme was implemented in the region in 2022, benefiting 75 primary schools and reaching out to 3 885 learners who needed remedial intervention.

“Our region needed a turnaround approach and we are proud to say we have noted a change among learners and that all the implementers have gone for training, to allow them to administer teaching at the right level.

We have seen an overall value addition annually as well as an improvement in academic results,” she added.

Former permanent secretary in the ministries of health and education and skills development, Ms Grace Muzila hailed the organisation saying it had lived up to its dream of having a positive impact on education.

She said what the organisation was doing, she said was aligned to the Vision 2036 and the ministry of education strategic plan.

“What is important is moving forward and it is not an easy path as it requires more team work and thus means sharing ideas to celebrate 20 years with impact,” she added.

Co-founders of Youth Impact, Ms Moitshepi Matsheng said the programme was implemented in nine regions out of 10 in Botswana noting that they were also working in 15 countries of which over 2 million classes had been impacted to date.

At the core of their mission, she said was to change the lives of young people by transforming the education system. She thanked the support they got from government and regional directors saying they were impressed to see the programme grow. ENDS