I remember when I was at Brother Rice High School how one of my teachers named Brother Moore would never give a grade of 100% on any of his tests or assignments. His reason, as he would say, was that “there is always room for improvement.” In HEAL’s educational mission program, striving for improvement includes not only the students but the teachers also.
Recently, about 25 teachers from BOMCA and MENPS schools, the focal points of HEAL’s missionary efforts, attended an educational workshop in Akpim village. The purpose was “to orient and reinforce our teachers in modern educational techniques to form the pupils holistically in order to fulfill our mission of forming Servant Leaders”, explained Rev. Leo Okonkwo.
Presentations focused on improving classroom management and discipline and creating better lesson plans. Rev. Leo himself challenged the teachers to take the spiritual aspect of education just as seriously as the intellectual. “I asked them to self-empty their talents on behalf of these children”, he said. In terms of disciplining students, self-emptying will mean taking a more patient approach.
Concerns over lack of certain resources were also expressed among the participants. “Without brass and stringed musical instruments and sports equipment, how will our students be exposed to higher performing arts and competitive physical education?”, Rev Leo wondered. It’s not that the students don’t play music or outdoor games at school, but their options are quite limited
All in all, the workshop bolstered the confidence and readiness of our teachers as they begin preparing students for their BECE exams in June. The cost of educating each child in our care, in addition to providing other basic necessities, comes to just over $4 per day. Join our family and help us!