Last week, most schools opened for second term studies after a two-week holiday; however, some International schools are in their third term. Students need to be assisted on how to get back on the academic track and yield better results this term. Teachers, parents and students all have a role to play in making this effective.
Knight Kuta, a teacher at Mai Childhood Academy, Nyamirambo, says that it is very important for teachers to follow up the timetable and teach according to the school’s curriculum. However, learners should also put in more effort in doing extensive revision and paying attention in class.
"Show value for your school fees, do not keep quiet if a teacher passes on what you don’t understand, put nervousness aside about how your peers will say that ‘you are the only one who didn’t understand’. You are entitled to asking as many questions as possible until you understand,” she notes.
She urges students to make their studies a priority because it is through them that their future will be bright. Studies help shape them for their professions and the life to live after school.
Kuta urges teachers to impart students through using all their senses, not just theory. Let the students touch, feel, hear what you teach and give them a chance to practice. That is why practicals are very important, they enable learners to test what they are taught.
However, she calls upon teachers to change the methodologies of teaching if they notice that students are lagging behind. Before proceeding to another topic, care to know whether there are no students left behind, this can be through evaluating them after every topic and knowing their weaknesses.
She adds that it’s not about how fast you finish the syllabus; what matters is whether students are well conversant with what you teach them.
According to Casimir Manirareba, a language teacher at Lycee Notre-Dame de Citeaux, Nyarugenge, parents’ assemblies should be conducted at schools; they should include students as well so that they can share the issues they face, enabling the parents and the school’s administration to provide solutions.
Motivation is key. If a student fails, don’t condemn them. All they need is encouragement to do better. Help them make good decisions and always push them to have targets of what they wish to achieve. No child is weak, sometimes they need extra effort, be the one to support them as a teacher or parent, Kuta explains.
She explains that home should be a conducive environment where students feel comfortable to read and stay. An environment that is unsuitable, like parents fighting in children’s presence, hinders concentration in class, which results in failure.
Kuta notes that parents should show love to their children. A child who lacks love, lacks motivation.
She notes that teachers should equip students with information that can be applicable in the real world.
Simon Peter Nzaramba, a teacher at Lycee Notre-Dame de Citeaux, Kigali, says students should consult their teachers always because that is how they can widen on their knowledge.
Manirareba says it is a parent’s tasks to do regular checkups on the performance of their children, however busy they might be. They shouldn’t just stop at paying school fees.
Nzaramba says it all starts with the mind; learners must create a positive sense of passing because you can’t excel if you don’t believe that you can.
He adds that learners ought to do school assignments and in time, as last minute work is in most cases full of mistakes and done for the sake of it.
Nzaramba recommends school authorities to provide equipment and material that students need for effective learning, for example, texts book and the internet. He encourages parents to pay school fees in time to avoid inconveniencing students while studying or doing tests.
John Mary Musinguzi, the headmaster at Little Bears Montessori School, Kigali says, "Constant revision is advised on the side of the students. Teachers should give more guidance to learners, especially those that are weak in some areas.
He says, "Training in time management is crucial as students learn how to manage time during and after exams. But don’t read all the time, spare some time to do sports to freshen up your mind.”
He adds that participation in extracurricular activities is important as it exposes children to more than what is taught in class, for instance; spelling bees, debate challenges, quiz, music festivals, talent developments, among others.
"Respect for one another at school is imperative as learners value everything that their peers do, but most importantly, prayer is necessary because you need to dedicate whatever you are going to do to God and ask him for wisdom and understanding,” Musinguz says.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com