International Day of Charity: Teachers, Learners and the Community Together for the Best in Education with Teach2030

5th September. International Day of Charity, and, by no coincidence, Mother Teresa’s birthday – the receiver of the 1979 Nobel Prize ‘for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress.’  

Today, the United Nations uses this date to symbolise a worldwide effort to continue her work and celebrate those charities working towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that aim to create a better, more sustainable future. 

Our charity, the Commonwealth Education Trust, focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 4, which strives for quality education for all. On this International Day of Charity, we hear the impact of our professional teacher training programme, Teach2030, from Sera Inambao, a headteacher from Nayamba Community School, Chisamba. 

‘Teachers used to think they knew it all. There was an old tradition of the learning process that used to take place whereby the teacher was the only source of knowledge of what needed to be done in the classroom. This has been broken down by the introduction of Teach2030 courses. 

This is because Teach2030 courses have provided a platform for teachers to work together to bring out the good from each other, and also the learners. The courses are designed in a way that promotes teamwork in collaborative planning and learning partners. The time when I used to plan on my own has been shortened and it is now more enjoyable because I get different views from my colleagues. Through this, we embrace each other’s weaknesses and strengths. My teachers have learnt to rely and trust one another – something that used to be a challenge. Where there is teamwork, there is productivity.  

I have studied 5 courses already: Growth Mindset for Teachers and Learners; Practical Active Learning for Your Classroom; Fresh Thinking for Your Classroom; Become a Digital Learner (Beginner); and the Teach2030 Headteacher Course. The courses are designed to accommodate every teacher, thereby moving a teacher from what they don’t know to what they know. This has resulted in efficiency and effectiveness in the way we execute our responsibilities. 

These courses have opened my eyes to so many teaching methods and really improved my classroom work, especially how I deliver lessons. They provide practical day-to-day examples and guidance for teachers. I now have different strategies of involving the learners, like ‘No-Hands Up’ and ‘Stretch-It’ from the ‘Practical Active Learning’ course. The way I teach my lessons is different and more inclusive, as no matter where the child is in their ability, I have planned different strategies to involve them. I have no worry that a child will remain behind. 

The impact on pupils is that creativity has increased because of the methods teachers have been using in their own learning process. They are more curious to learn and more critical thinkers. They now try to solve challenges. 

Also, communication skills have developed because of the type of feedback that we provide. They now realise that we, as teachers, value whatever their contributions are, so they are more willing to share their ideas and understanding. When the child used to make a mistake, the class laughed and even the teacher joined in. That has been brushed away, as a result of these courses.  

This has meant self-esteem has improved because of the value that we put on their contributions, importantly, both inside and outside of class. Parents are more involved in their children’s education because they have seen children that they least expected making progress, and starting to perform well. They are implementing learning in their homes, so it has brought parents’ attention and made them realise that something new is happening in school. This has made them support the school.  

Sometimes, in rural areas, there is a challenge where parents don’t have confidence in teachers to do what is expected to do. Parents now have the confidence in the teachers because they have seen that the child is developing academically, socially and also emotionally. I am proud that they now take us seriously. The community looks at us differently. Parents are now coming to talk to us about things that are outside the academic way. The levels of tolerance have greatly improved. 

Teach2030 courses are flexible and accessible anywhere – and at any time. Importantly, they are affordable compared to going to a college physically. There you would be charged with a lot of fees but because you want to study and improve yourself, you’d need to pay. So, the introduction of Teach2030 has made a great change even on our income as teachers. 

Teach2030 has brought teachers, learners and the community together to understand that they need each other for the best in education.’ 

To help us to continue our work, please consider partnering with us.