Early childhood development in post-tsunamis, Kalmunai
The Competence Centre for Early Childhood Development (CCECD),
initiated a 23 member ECD teacher-training program from those living in
the villages of Panduiruppu, Maruthamunai and Periyaneelavanai in
Kalmunai for a two-year training program in ECD.
Interestingly, 5 members are male ranging from ages 20-27. The
students at the end of the program are each working with 20 children who
are mainly from camps and those whose parents cannot afford pre-school
education.
Under the program, early childhood education for 400 children from
ages 3 - 6 is made possible in these three villages. The areas selected
are vital to the cause of the peace process for people of the villages.
Marunthamunai provides a healthy filling between Pandiruppu and
Periyaneelavanai. The entire project is supervised by committed
educators from the three villages called Pesum Nilayam.
The training participants selected for this program were trained by a
team of early childhood educators from the Association of Montessori
Directresses (AMD), Sri Lanka. The program also includes vocational
training.
Everything we did from day one was absorbed like that of ink on
blotting paper. The student teachers were all agog with excitement that
finally some interest was shown in them.
No cameras flashed, no TV crews were present with their annoying
lights, no eloquent speeches were made, and most importantly no
Ministers or any 'important' mortal invited to the opening ceremony.
Everything went like clockwork for the entire two weeks and we topped it
all with an exhibition of all the work that was done.
The exhibition lasted three hours with a steady stream of curious
onlookers and many 'oohs' and 'aahs' were heard from teachers and
parents. The zonal directors in early childhood development, education
officers, as well as Principals of schools. Teachers and Students
attended this special feature. The Ministry of Education in Colombo
could take a page out of the Eastern Block on the functions of a
separate authority for early childhood development.
Not that the teachers had no inkling on the subject of ECD as some of
their Colombo counterparts would have you think. Indeed they knew lots
of theory by attending the many seminars organized by government and NGO
sectors. In fact they were over-exposed to theory.
They had the right theory and the right knowledge BUT what they
gained here was the practical aspect of classroom management,
practical-life skill training, lesson planning and a host of other areas
we take for granted in our own classrooms. We filled in the gaps
although we found that the gaps were rather large and could not be
filled in a hurry! They took to all this like ducks to water and even
taught us a few home truths of their society. We were humbled by the
eye-openers and are richer by far for knowing.
The program is unique because of this element. It caters to teachers
taking into account the strengths and weaknesses in the segment of
society a teacher work in. Through this interaction the early childhood
educator in Kalmunnai will be on par with that of her (or his)
counterpart in Colombo - or from anywhere in the world.
Hands-on practical training was given priority - be it learning
origami, carpentry, crocheting, art, craft, designing a home/school
facility, phonics or math. Many teachers as well as experienced
educators commented on this feature.
The entire project is unique because of this factor. Too often I have
seen the looks of anxiety and uncertainty on the faces of non-English
speaking pre-school teachers when they attend the CCECD monthly
seminars.
They understand but do not speak. They are more than keen - in fact
keener - to know about being a good teacher so that the children in her
care gets the best from her.
Unfortunately, she is usually swept aside. Even if she sits on the
lap of the English-speaking teacher no way will she gain entrance to
making a statement. For the bold ones with the
"me-no-care/l-ol'ly-2-awn-learn English speaking" a kind of embarrassed
silence follows a simple statement she makes with ghastly grammatical
errors. Feet shuffle, loud coughs nearing guffaws, scratching of heads
and kind of quirky smiles appear at the corners of well outlined lips.
Poor thing! To think that she maybe a far more committed educator than
the manicured types - ouch!
This program therefore allows teachers of all sorts, shapes and sizes
(without the superior attitude) to further education facilities on ECD.
You will find yourself graduating after a period of 4 years depending
entirely on the time and energy you put into the projects under the
CCECD. Teachers have access to all our seminars on related topics to
early childhood.
For special training-of-trainers (TOT) programs usually in tsunami
affected areas, AMD teachers are handpicked to undergo training in
working with student-teachers in post-trauma situations. If you would
like to join our programs during vacation time and help other teachers
or learn more about CCECD, please call 077-900-5346 or write to CCECD,
713, D.P. Wijesinghe Mw., Pelawatta, Battaramulla.
by - Shanthi Wijesinghe, Chief Administration Officer/
Vice-Chairperson - Competence Centre for Early Childhood Development (CCECD),
Sri Lanka. Exec. President - Association of Montessori Directresses,
(AMD) Sri Lanka. |