Kato said that gone are days when teachers used to pump materials into learners’ brains and in the process compromising their ability to actively apply their brains, discard the method of cramming and get onto awakening their brains through practical means.
Higher School Certificate (HSC) teachers from 50 schools in Greater Mukono region (Mukono, Kayunga, Buikwe and Buvuma districts) have completed a five-day orientation training on instruction under the competence-based system, being rolled out in higher secondary classes.
The system geared at the outdating traditional method of teachers stuffing learners with notes and material, was begun in lower secondary classes (S1-S4)for the last four years and the government found it prudent to take it on at ‘A’ level as a hands-on application for awakening learners’ creativity and practical skills.
The training that has been going on at Faith High School located at Sonde Cell in Goma Division, Mukono Municipality was organised by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), and was concurrently conducted in 20 other centres in the central region.
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According to NCDC specialist, Michael Kato, the training targeted empowering ‘A’ level teachers with capacity to help learners cope with the new curriculum teaching to be able to synchronize their studies with what they underwent at the Ordinary level.
Kato said that gone are days when teachers used to pump materials into learners’ brains and in the process compromising their ability to actively apply their brains, discard the method of cramming and get onto awakening their brains through practical means.
He advised school heads to engage teachers who have gone through the training to help their colleagues who could have missed the training for one reason or the other.
“Because we intended to accommodate many teachers from many schools from these four districts, we targeted to have at least five teachers from each school. Therefore, I am appealing to the headteachers to make sure that the teachers who have completed the training also engage their fellow teachers and pass on the knowledge to them,” he said.
The Director for Faith High School, Connie Magomu Masaba noted that the underlying objective is preparing learners to be innovative citizens that are able to add value to whatever they handle in life, and to generate capacity to overcome any hurdles they may encounter in day-to-day life.
Magomu implored teachers to always accept to undergo positive change whenever it comes up, noting that changes are inevitable and here to stay with humanity in all spheres.
“Always consider yourself to be in a continuous learning atmosphere and do not be ashamed to consult your colleagues where you may come across difficulties,” she advised.
The host head teacher, David Manyike expressed satisfaction that from the commitment and concentration exhibited by the teachers during the training, the government is destined to register drastic changes in the realisation of its goals.
The co-ordinator of the training, Namirembe Ritah, a teacher at Midland High School Buntaba in Kyampisi sub-county, Mukono district said that although the training should have begun at the beginning of the term, all is not lost as teachers have picked very important tips on handling the new curriculum teaching.
Agnes Nalugooti Onganya, a teacher of Namasumbi Senior Secondary School said the training has been a very effective tool in transiting from the old system of stuffing children with material to the new system that awakens their brains and learning skills.
Fredrick Wamboga, a teacher at St. Cyprian High School Kyabakadde said that for the whole of first term, despite the fact that they had received guideline materials on how to conduct the teaching, setting exams and awarding marks, they had not comprehended the guidelines compared to the knowledge they achieved from the training.
“I am confident that for each and every teacher who has attended the training has positively been transformed,” he said.
