Nusrat tutors updated on teaching methodologies

By Demba Balde
A number of teachers at Nusrat Senior Secondary School Friday, 12th February, 2010, benefited from a training package aimed at introducing them to different methodologies of teaching, with the goal of preparing them for any unexpected challenge in the field of teaching in the future.
Vice Principal of the school, George K. Annan, towards the beginning of the session, said, “We hope that at the end of the training teachers will continue to perform their duties in ease. I implore you all to take it seriously so that the purpose is not defeated.’’
The training session, which was held at the school grounds in Bundung, had a lecturer in Teaching Methodology at the University of St. Kils, Eskeltuna in Sweden, Mrs. Inkerie Book, as the resource person.
According to Book, there is no specific approach to teaching and that one was better off not holding fast unto one form of it, ‘‘because the world is changing.’’
And she added, “In different learning environments, we as teachers should use different teaching methodologies. Without this in mind, we are doomed to fail.’’
Book went on to say that with various teaching methodologies, students are supposed to be exposed to a holistic educational experience in an active and dynamic learning environment, giving them the opportunity to identify and realize their potential, as well as the chance to achieve excellence. Instructional strategies, she added, should be student-centred and include active learning, inquiries, experience-based learning, cooperative and participative learning activities. Such a style will encourage the students to enjoy lessons, try out new things and to think creatively and independently.
At the end of the training, Jollofnews sounded the opinions of some of the participants. Omar Jammeh, a Geography teacher, described the program as highly interactive and educative.
‘‘We have learned a lot and there is no doubt that it will help us a lot in delivering up to expectations,’’ he said.
A positive teaching and learning environment is the collective responsibility of all, the teachers, students and parents. Parents should mind out a lot as to what their children do. Students should be well motivated and parents also play an important role in this regard.
Asked what is behind the success story of Nusrat, Mr. Jammeh said, “It is all possible because of commitment. The administration is doing all it can to provide a conducive learning environment. Our students are also very disciplined and academic oriented.’’
Jammeh finally advised all students to take their education seriously, noting that on them lies the future of the nation.
“Keep burning the midnight oil and continue on the search for knowledge, both within and outside the classrooms,’’ he said, adding, ‘‘it is only with knowledge and discipline students will be able to be the architects of their destinies.’’
Delivering the vote of thanks, Sainey Jallow, a biology teacher, hailed the trainer for “a wonderful presentation”. He called on his fellow participants to make the best use of the knowledge gained.
Nusrat SSS is among the topmost senior secondary schools in the Gambia, with an impressive record of turnout of students over the years. One of about four mission schools belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim brotherhood in the country, the institution has become, virtually, the highest supplier of intakes of the University of the Gambia, the highest and only such institution of learning in the country.