2024 End-of-Year Teacher Celebrations at Action in Africa
Each year, the Action in Africa (AIA) education department organizes an end-of-year party for attendees of the teacher training program. This event provides an opportunity for participants to celebrate, reflect on the program’s impact, and reinforce the lessons they’ve learned throughout the year. The 2024 celebration drew a large number of enthusiastic teachers during which certificates were awarded to consistent, committed, and active teachers, recognizing their attendance and the value they bring to AIA. Additionally, prizes were distributed to celebrate their dedication.
Unlike previous celebrations, this year’s event featured a special surprise: professional education advisors Opio Edward and Kasozi Osbon from Vision 555, an Advisory Education Research Company based in Kamwokya, Kampala. Opio and Osbon conducted training sessions on essential classroom topics, including teacher professional ethics and SMART teaching strategies (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound).
Opio Edward delved into practical SMART strategies such as:
Monitoring learners
Developing and following a scheme of work
Encouraging and motivating students
Practicing self-commitment
Conducting regular evaluations and assessments
Incorporating presentations and updated teaching methods
Effectively planning for students’ success
Additionally, key areas like ICT adoption, effective communication skills, time management, and child study were emphasized. Teachers were also trained to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to refine and achieve their goals.
A Teacher’s Perspective
During the event, Tr. Naava Ritah from Vision Foundation School shared her heartfelt testimony about how the teacher training program has transformed her professional life. She expressed profound gratitude to AIA for enhancing her teaching skills and style.
“My teaching style changed completely,” she shared. After my first session at AIA in 2023, I noticed I was in the darkest world of exposing personal anger to learners.”
She shared how corporal punishment is touted as an effective tool in Uganda, but through Action in Africa’s Teacher Training Program, teachers are advised to counsel and guide students, promoting a love of learning.
Tr. Ritah also highlighted other skills she gained through the program, such as:
Supporting special needs children
Incorporating ICT lessons (she was previously unfamiliar with computers)
Adopting a professional dress code and demeanor
Improving classroom preparation
Discovering a passion for teaching
She noted a significant boost in her confidence, enabling her to present and communicate effectively in front of large groups, saying her low self-esteem has disappeared into oblivion.
In closing, Tr. Ritah extended her heartfelt thanks to Colline and the program’s initiators. She highlighted the program’s lasting benefits, including promoting co-curricular activities in schools and supporting parents through initiatives like porridge interventions each term.
As a gesture of appreciation, Tr. Ritah pledged to serve as an ambassador for AIA, spreading awareness about the program and encouraging teachers in Nakuwadde to join. “LONG LIVE ACTION IN AFRICA!” she exclaimed.
About the Teacher Training Program
Teacher Training is a vital program offered at the Center every Saturday from 2–4 p.m. AIA’s education team provides continuing education workshops to equip teachers with creative tools and resources, moving beyond traditional rote-memorization teaching methods.
