The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa has launched a programme to help students in public schools improve their performance in English and Mathematics.
The programme involves the use of Abracadabra and Emerging Literacy in Mathematics software developed by the University of Concordia in Canada.
The software will help teachers learn new methods of teaching the two subjects.
Aga Khan director of the Professional Development Centre Anthony Gioko said since the programme’s inception in May, 147 head teachers have been trained.
“Although the teachers’ strike has interfered, 180,000 students have been reached,” he said.
Speaking to the Star in Mombasa town, Gioko said 147 primary schools, 24 secondary schools and three teacher training colleges are participating.
The schools include Ganjoni, Central Girls, Mbaraki, and State of the Sea all in Mombasa.
“We intend to train 4,335 teachers to reach an approximated target of 765,300 pupils and students by 2017,” Gioko said.
The programme is a collaboration involving Aga Khan Academy, the Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and World Vision.
Howard Omukami, the lead trainer, said the programme is important because “most upper primary teachers in the region can’t solve a standard two sum”.
He attributed the poor performance to a bad attitude among pupils and lack of proper teaching skills among teachers.
“It is unfortunate that most teachers especially those of mathematics behave like militants,” Omukami said.
“Instead of using students centred techniques, they just lecture them without caring whether they grasp or not.”
The programme will also train teachers in class management, collaborative learning and personal reflection.
This will help them influence their learners.
