Interviews with M-Shule: Learning at home from a Kenyan teacher’s perspective
Continuing our series of interviews on the impact of COVID-19 on education, we introduce Mr. Peter Kavingi, the head teacher of Maramtu Primary School located in Tana River County. He is a dedicated educator who has a passion for farming and enjoys family time. Teacher Kavingi has embraced technology and is using it to prepare learners in school.
Question: How are you coping with the coronavirus pandemic as a parent and teacher?
I am currently in the rural areas in Embu with my children, just trying to stay together as a family and engage them in the best way possible. I take time to do some farming but also ensure I have plenty of rest which is important.
Question: How have you been using M-Shule while schools are closed?
I have [child] who is in Class 8. During this pandemic, we decided to use M-Shule and my boy absolutely loved it. It has kept him busy and active. As a teacher, I found the learning modules to be in line with the curriculum judging by the questions and responses given.
My boy has particularly loved the aspect of receiving the questions on the mobile phone and he has been able to do revision now because the schools are not open and he has his final exams to sit for.
Question: Schools were to re-open in May, but of course they remain closed indefinitely. What are some of the steps you have taken as a school to continue engaging with parents and learners?
We have worked with class teachers who share the class lessons with parents directly through WhatsApp and I am able to upload them on my smart device.
Question: What are the concerns you have about the current state of learning during the coronavirus?
Well, I am worried about the Class 8 and Form 4 candidates. You find that those learners, especially the ones in rural areas where I am currently based, are heavily involved in different activities, be it helping parents at home or in their businesses. These reduce their study time and I am not sure whether they will catch up in terms of the syllabus.
Secondly, we cannot ascertain that all households have access to the television or radio for the learners to tune in and follow the educational programs. This is a challenge especially for those in the interior who may benefit from the KICD media programs.
At Atata Primary School where I used to teach, we had some smart devices and I could handle four learners by myself at a time. However, more institutions in the interior parts of the country do not have access to such devices and learning becomes difficult.
Question: In your experience as a parent and educator, how do you keep learners motivated, especially those from lower classes?
Well, this is a formula that I have used all through my profession. I encourage a culture of inclusivity among the learners. This is by showing a lot of care especially for Class 4 and 5 learners. They are still growing and learning. Therefore, they need that extra bit of care to believe in themselves regardless of their academic ability.
For the higher classes, such as the Class 8 learners, we establish a kind of reward system for the learners just to keep them motivated and I have seen this work. For example, in a class of 41 learners, we give them targets in that any learner who achieves 55 marks will receive a gift such as a book.
Using this system, about 35 learners hit the target and we reward them. The important thing is to ensure that even the remaining 6 are rewarded in some way. We can offer them a pencil or a pen. This will also encourage them to improve and stay motivated.
Question: What advice do you have for parents in terms of ensuring their children learn while at home?
We continue to encourage them to learn. For example, as parents in this area, we have our discussions especially in the afternoon. This is a time that we can collaborate to help the learners. Be there for them and actively set aside time for learning at home. Try as much as possible to strike a balance between how much the learners can help at home and study time so that they are not left behind.
Question: Do you have any final remarks?
I would like to thank M-Shule for providing this platform. I have seen it work even for my boy and we get to do revision together. At a time like now when we are facing a lot of problems, learning through the mobile phone is important. Continue doing what you are doing to educate our children.
Report compiled by the M-Shule Communications Team
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