Despite the final weeks of my placement racing by, I’m happy to report that I have completed my maths training manual. It’s a pretty substantial document… 173 pages to be exact! It’s full of activities, methods, games, ideas and songs to help teachers teach addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to early grade primary school students.
Teaching is not telling
Further down you can see the front cover of the manual. I used an image that I saw on advertising billboards in Dar Es Salaam which says ‘teaching is not telling.’ The idea being that teaching is not about discussing abstract concepts, but creating conditions for students to develop their own understanding of reality.
Because they’re worth it
Many teachers have a tendency to forget that talking to students doesn’t necessarily lead to learning, and that the maths taught in school should help students to solve real life problems – not fill exercise books with numbers.
Putting this manual together has been a long process, from investigating local practises to testing new methods with the teachers in their classrooms. But when I look at the finished product and see the enthusiasm of the teachers using the manual, it makes it all worth it.
In a nutshell
Another part of wrapping up my work here has involved writing a signature programme document. In a nutshell, this has been an investigation of the Tanzanian education system aimed at informing the development of future VSO projects in the country.
My research has involved reading government policies and interviewing some of the most marginalised children in Tanzania such as orphans, kids from poorer backgrounds and those from remote areas.
The finished product
Truly heart-breaking
I have noticed that education systems (both here and in Europe) can work to the detriment of disadvantaged children. One of the most excluding practises I’ve come across is pregnant girls being expelled from schools.
According to the law, female students in secondary schools must take regular pregnancy tests. If the results come back positive, the girls are expelled from school and banned from state education. The girls I interviewed who found themselves in these circumstances were keen to continue their studies, despite being ostracised by their schools and families. I found this really heart-breaking. No young person should be excluded from education because of their circumstances.
On a more positive note, I am pleased to say that VSO is planning to address this issue by implementing vocational courses to ensure that young mothers and other marginalised students aren’t left behind or excluded from future job opportunities.
Sports day at Katebenga primary school
Sports day
Although I do love having the opportunity to do research, I must say – the best part of my job is hanging out with the kids! They have so much energy and enthusiasm, it really is infectious. I find that after spending a few with minutes with them, I’ve already forgotten my worries.
Last week I visited Katebenga primary school during the sports day, where the children were competing in cross-cross running and football. I was so impressed by how motivated and committed the children were. Although playing football with 10 year olds can teach you a bitter life lesson (that you are not 10 anymore), I truly enjoyed their company. It brought home the reality of how much I’m going to miss them all.
A final farewell
I can honestly say I’ve had a wonderful experience in Tanzania. Although the work has been challenging, my colleagues, teachers, fellow volunteers and of course the children have really made my time here. Would I consider a second placement? Absolutely. I’ve definitely got the ‘volunteering bug’!
Looking to the future
Next time you will be hearing from another fantastic VSO volunteer, Anne Law. She is off to Nepal to volunteer on VSO’s Sisters for Sisters project in the Dhading district of Nepal. Sisters for Sisters is a unique project that pairs older girls called ‘Big Sisters’ who have finished school with younger girls, or the ‘Little Sisters’, who are at risk of leaving school. I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Before I go, I want to say a massive thank you to all of you. Your kind messages have got me through some of the toughest times. As I said in my last update, I really do feel part of something very special, and it’s thanks to you. Thank you so much for being part of my journey.
Ciao, and very best wishes,
Andrea.
