Teaching the Teacher
Literacy and numeracy classes empower teachers in South Sudan
Mrs Nakwang is very grateful to have received training that supports her to become a better teacher.
In 2023, only 6% of primary teachers in South Sudan had a teaching diploma or degree.
Mrs Nakwang, a participant in WTI & UNICEF’s Strengthening Community Resilience programme, says her teacher training was repeatedly interrupted by financial hardship, instability and conflict:
“I… pursued my Diploma in Primary Education at Unyama University in Gulu, Uganda, which I did not complete due to shortage of finance and other support. Leaving Unyama as a dropout, I did not give up the struggle to get a Diploma in Primary Education. By my own determination, I made a way to Yei and joined Yei Teachers’ Training College in 2015. I wanted to keep my academic journey alive. However, due to fragile security situation in the country, it was another stumbling block to this dream when war broke out in 2016. Obviously, the college closed, there was panic and I found my way to the refugee camp in Uganda for safety.”
When Mrs Nakwang returned to South Sudan after the war, she couldn’t pursue further training. Professional development opportunities for teachers are few and far between.
So, when Windle Trust International offered foundational literacy and numeracy training for teachers, she seized the opportunity. Despite 3 years of college education, Mrs Nakwang learned many new teaching skills through WTI’s one-month programme.
“In my past experiences, I have been dominating the talking in the class while teaching. I thought I was a good teacher by doing this. However, I have come to learn that more talking and time should be given to the learners to practice what they are learning. The work of a teacher is only to guide the learning process.”
She also learned strategies such as using rhymes, songs and the natural world to enhance learning, and supporting students to be creative and innovative.
Another benefit was to fill the gaps in her own education, particularly numeracy. She left secondary education without basic skills such as finding the perimeter of a shape. In her teaching career, she has always avoided teaching numeracy to the upper classes. However, thanks to WTI’s training, she now feels confident enough to do this. “This training has paved way for me to teach the subject,” she reflected gratefully.
Mrs Nakwang wishes for other teachers, especially women, to benefit from this kind of training. It’s not long since she almost gave up and left the profession, however the support from WTI tutors made her want to “remain a teacher forever.” Now, she is advocating with school leadership for weekend inter-school seminars, to share experience and skills with her teaching peers.
Read more about WTI’s work training teachers in South Sudan.