Jumpstart! Update – Anaka Nursery School
March 3, 2015Establ
ished in 2012, Anaka Nursery School is located in Northern Uganda’s Nwoya district and consists of two classes: K1 and K2 (serving around 110 enrolled students). Many nursery schools include a K3 class but the school’s head-teacher, Lily Rose, indicated that the pupils have been doing so well that most are ready for primary school after K2. The school has a room for each class; both are basic and simply furnished, but brightened by posters, colourful chalk on the blackboards, and pupils’ drawings proudly displayed by teachers.
In K1, 70 brand new pupils are adjusting well to their new routine, sitting politely on small wooden chairs, awaiting instructions from their teacher, Evelyn. As the class spends the morning learning new songs and dances, the children are clearly enchanted by Evelyn’s enthusiasm and gentleness. Although the classroom is rather dark, the children’s joyful singing lights up the space. Later, the pupils are given colouring and drawing activities, and they work well together as they huddle over their tables to complete their tasks.
Evelyn, trained in Early Childhood Development, loves to teach and shared that her favourite part of the job is singing and dancing with the children: “I have always wanted to be a nursery teacher and so I really enjoy spending my days with the children; we have a wonderful time together”.
As the Ugandan government does not pay the salaries of nursery school teachers, parents must pay school fees to ensure that committed teachers like Evelyn can remain employed. At Anaka, parents even contribute funds to provide nursery children with a filling lunchtime meal. One parent commented; “we are willing to work hand in hand with the school to ensure that our children do well in their classes”.
Although several hours spent in Evelyn’s classroom highlighted her excellent credentials as a teacher, she says that it is difficult to plan stimulating lessons and give children the best academic support when she has so few materials at her disposal. Anaka is limited by insufficient resources; children must share exercise books and pens, and they lack engaging learning tools needed to maximise their learning and development.
At African Revival, we want to see children offered the best start in life which is why Jumpstart! is working alongside nursery schools to equip classrooms with teaching materials and resources, enabling teachers to plan creative and academically sound lessons. We will also be building an outdoor play-area, where children will be able to develop their social skills in a safe and exciting atmosphere.
As part of the Jumpstart!, African Revival recently hosted a community sensitization meeting at Anaka, which communicated the importance of Early Childhood Development to parents and care-givers, with an record turn-out of 203! In Uganda, 29% students ultimately drop out of school because of their parents’ lack of interest in their education, so seeing so many parents fully committed to their young children’s development is a real joy and encouragement. We believe that with the support of the school leadership, parents, care-givers and Jumpstart!, each child at Anaka has every chance to succeed in nursery school, primary school and beyond.
