In Their Own Words: Student Perspectives
[one_column]“People from Wellspring taught our teachers about quality education, and they delivered model lessons that have helped our teachers to improve their teaching methodologies. Our parents have also been trained about how to bring up their children and take care of them. We, as children, we thank Wellspring because now we are treated like human beings, and respected.”[/one_column]
[one_column]We are excited to share with you a unique perspective on the transformation taking place as a result of your partnership. Rachel Mahuku, one of Wellspring’s Senior Program Managers, recently interviewed some of the students benefitting from our School Development Program in Rwanda’s Gasabo District. In their own words, these students share how Wellspring’s involvement is impacting their classrooms and homes, as well as their reflections on the work that is still to be done.[/one_column]
LEADERS
[one_column]About school leaders, students shared the following:
“Now, our Head Teacher loves students. Before the training from Wellspring, students could avoid them because they were not kind and used to beat students. Nowadays, they have become friendly; they give advice to children to work hard in order to succeed; they care for the cleanness of our school and that of students; they give us advice on how to study well and be successful; they give advice to our teachers and our parents on how to respect our rights; they listen to students, especially their complaints; now there is a good relationship between the head teacher and the teachers, and even with students and parents.”[/one_column]
TEACHERS
[one_column]Children shared that their teachers have improved their ways of teaching and of relating with students:
“Our teachers use good methods (like group work, behaviour management tips, etc.) to teach us, in order to prepare us to be competitive in the labour market and to be useful to our society. They help us to understand the lesson, and they teach with love and care. In class, students ask questions when they haven’t understood, and teachers explain with kindness. Before the training provided by Wellspring to our teachers, we were afraid of asking questions to the teachers even if we hadn’t understood because we were afraid of being beaten. Nowadays, teachers care for the students. They teach us how to respect ourselves and others. They give us class rules and school rules, and they give us examples (role models) like when they are punctual at school and in lessons.”
Children were asked about the difference they have experienced in their classrooms & in their learning:
“Teachers give more homework, more quizzes and exercises. They give a clear explanation of lessons, and they promote student unity by giving advice on how to study well and improve our learning. They give us advice on how to prepare for our future. By using group discussions in the classroom, we understand lessons better and we learn how to help one another. Behaviour has changed and students are more disciplined than before. We have regular assessments, and nowadays we follow class rules without any problem. This was not the case a few years back. Absenteeism from teachers has reduced, and cleanness in the class has improved.”
“My teachers have improved in teaching methodology; group work is very helpful. Teachers have become kind with students, and in my class there is unity, smartness, cleanness, sense of responsibility, love for one another; and mutual respect.”
“Punctuality of both teachers and students has improved. The class timetable is available in the classroom, and pictures drawn on rice sacks or on manila papers are put on the walls of the classroom. This is due to what teachers have learned from Wellspring. Before they were trained, our teachers used to go out and talk with their colleagues for hours and hours, or talk on a phone for a long time instead of teaching. This has changed, and teachers are now serious in their duties due to the training they received from Wellspring. Free periods in the class are used for revision (before, students would shout instead of revising). All these changes are seen because Wellspring has well trained our teachers, our head teachers, and our parents, empowering them about the importance of educating well their children.”[/one_column]
PARENTS
[one_column]Children also shared about the involvement of their parents in their learning process:
“Before the training of our parents provided by Wellspring, my parents did not care about my learning. They would not visit me at school, and they could not give me time to do my homework or revise my lessons. After class, I could be given duties to do at home like fetching water or firewood, cooking, looking after my young sisters. Late in the evening I was so exhausted, and then would go to sleep without doing my homework or revising my lesson. At school, I was beaten by the teacher because I had not done the homework and I could not follow as I was sleeping during the lessons. After the training, my parents now care about my learning and I can communicate to them and tell them everything – failure or success – without fearing to be beaten. Now they help me revise my lessons, give me time to do my homework, give me advice about good behaviour at school and how to respect our teachers and other students. My parents, like other parents, visit school to find out how their children are learning, something most of them had never done before. They attend school meetings and are ready to contribute to the development of the school, and they contribute to the development of the school.”[/one_column]
Wellspring continues to work in the 49 schools of Rwanda’s Gasabo District (as well as in 22 additional schools through our Church partnerships), because there is still work to be done to ensure that this change is sustainable in the long term.
[one_column]Students shared about the changes they would still like to see in their school:
“We would like to see our parents have more school visits, and to actively participate in school meetings … We would like a good learning environment: having computers, a good playground, fewer students per class … We want to improve our English language skills … The school should find out a way of looking for children who have dropped out of school, and try to bring them back … We want to have good results in school … We want to be given more exercises for application that would help improve our learning.”
“Although some teachers are doing their best, irregularity for both teachers and students is still high. Our parents do not have time to follow the learning of their children, and don’t attend school meetings. Some children are impossible – they can even insult their teachers. Some drink alcohol or use drugs, and poverty leads to the misbehavior or misconduct of some students. So,we still need Wellspring to teach our teachers, head teacher, and parents how to deal with these problems.”
“Many things are missing in our schools: water, electricity, computers, and textbooks. How can we learn well without these facilities? There is just too much to be done in my school so that we can be happy students.”[/one_column]
Finally, children were asked about what they would do to help students like them if they were the teachers or school leaders of their schools:
[one_column]“I would …
- work on the discipline of the students, and promote working together of children
- look for a good teacher of English
- encourage students to work hard
- help them be free and ask many questions
- teach them many values like respect, obedience, politeness
- be their friend and advisor
- reward hard working students
- invite parents and share with them the progress of their children
- follow teachers and see how and what they teach
- promote cleanness in the school and that of children
- listen to children, meet them regularly, pray with them
- advise children to work hard and encourage those who don’t want to work
- lead well and respect children’s rights
- teach them respect and other values
- prepare well my lesson and teach with a good heart
- talk and listen to students and let them tell me their challenges in learning
- reduce the number of students per class
- provide more time for personal revision
- ask parents to visit their children at school and have many parents’ meetings
- provide good education that shapes a really responsible person
- create a time for entertainment and enjoyment in the school
- encourage teachers to put their heart in what they do
- I can love what I do.
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To learn more about the difference you are making as a School Partner, or to become more involved, please don’t hesitate to contact Louise Reilly: louise@thewellspringfoundation.org