Wednesday 28 May 2014

Learning Support in Nigerian Schools

Children do not have the same abilites even if they are of the same age; thus, in a class there will be some disparities in achivement levels.
As defined by Southern Regional College, Learning Support is additional support to assist students who might otherwise be unable to access a programme of study or who, by reason of their learning difficulty or disability, may require specialist support beyond that normally provided by a college.
I define learning support as additional help given to a pupil to help them perform at their best.




Children may need learning support when they have been assessed to have a form of learning difficulty or a special need. Learning support is also needed for pupils that are talented and gifted.The support for gifted and talented education can be in the form of curriculum enrichment. This entails giving that child a little more examples to help the child delve deeper into the topic.Or the child gets more sums to work on then the other pupils.
 

There are many ways learning of pupils can be supported. One of the basic forms is differentiation. Here, pupil's class teacher plans and delivers lessons taking the said child or children into consideration. This consideration can be in the form of questions, etc.  In doing so some of the challenges the child has can be met.



Where differentiation is not enough, the pullout method can be employed where a learning support expert will pull the pupil out of class and work with the pupil one-on-one. This is done for short periods at a time and done when a non-core subject is going on.

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Learning support is a service that most Nigerian schools have offered and are still offering to pupils. What makes it a little abigious is the fact that most schools are not aware that they are putting in this effort due to poor documentation.
 You may remember when your class teacher sets you aside to explain a concept you did not quite understand. Or when you were told to memorize the 9 times table because everyone else in you class could do so. These two scenarios show teachers supporting the learning of their pupils.


To make this support more worthwhile in a school where your learning support department is yet to be created;
  •  Tell your head about your observations about the pupil
  •  Communicate to the parent about the observation and the course of action you will take to help child; and when you have the green light from the parent, you can start working with child.
  • Always have a separate journal for the activities you will do with the child. This helps to keep track of what you are doing with the child and also helps to build your portfolio as a teacher.
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I hope this helps to support and enhance learning in your classrooms and also helps parents to monitor such support.
I would love to know what you think, kindly comment, follow and share

Monday 26 May 2014

Chibok Abduction – a lesson in Education



It has been over 40 days and the 250 plus school girls abducted in Chibok  are yet to be released. Though there has been several unconfirmed reports of the sightings of these girls, Nigeria and the entire world are sitting ducks. My heart is with the families of the girls and I pray every day for the safety of our girls.
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Not taking anything away from this headlining issue in Nigeria. I think this is a season to take a closer look at education in Nigeria. It is very important to note that these girls were not out partying or doing other “immoral” things but were in school. Trying to get an education that other children in the same country have on a silver platter but all the same take for granted.

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This is the time when stakeholders in education (Parents, Educators, mostly) need to take a critical look that what were are doing. Are were bringing our “A”games to the education table? As parents are looking at the important factors when we want to educate our wards? Are we putting in our best as stakeholders of our children’s education, spending quality time and take advantage of every Teachable moment? Also as educators are we educating children and imparting live skills or we are merely covering a series curricula. Are we using our influence to positively influence these precious ones?


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These are questions we should ask ourselves and in doing that we will realize, the change we all clamor for in education starts with us. And it is not when only carrying placards and demonstrating (not to say it is wrong to do so) that means we are championing a cause. But also effecting the change in your own small way. Not putting reverence or otherwise on the position we find ourselves on the educational food chain. 

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If education was so irrelevant “they” will not attack it. Education is key. I am craving the indulgence of all and sundry to come together and safeguard education in Nigeria. In every small way doing our best and not taking what we have for granted.

In summing up I will say #bringbackourgirls