British, African teachers meet to exchange ideas

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

CONNECTING Classrooms Club, a British Council sponsored programme, recently brought together three British teachers, three Tanzanian teachers and three Nigerian teachers for team- teaching in three secondary schools in Lagos.

The schools were: Nigerian Model Secondary School, Idi-Oro; Eko Boys High School, both in Mushin Local Government and Itire Community Secondary School in Surulere Local Government.

The objective of the programme was to enable the participants share their experiences and learn more about the educational system in each of the participating countries in Nigeria, Tanzania and Europe.

According to the Project Manager, Connected African Education, Miss Olasimbo Olateru-Olagbegi of the British Council, the programme is for three years.

Last year, Nigerian teachers went to the United Kingdom under the programme.
She added that about $60,000 worth of equipment were given to the participating schools.

The equipment include internet facilities and computers.

On the reaction of the students to the programme, she said, “it has been very exciting. They have shown a great deal of enthusiasm. They asked many questions and the teachers answered.”

The British teachers were in Nigeria for five days. One of the three British teachers was Mariam Hayes. She teaches Arts at the North Fleet Teachers College in the U.K.

On her first impression about Nigeria, she said “Nigerians are friendly and I like the environment.”

On her assignment in Nigeria, she said “we will also like to know about other environmental issues like how we use water and how we can teach the children to use water carefully and avoid environmentally dangerous activities.”

Miss Irene Wake was another British teacher involved in the programme. She attended Dublin Institute of Technology where she studied Biology. She teaches Biology and Chemistry at the St. John’s Comprehensive Secondary School at Grave’s end, London.

On her impression of Nigeria being a first time visitor, she said “I find the environment very good and the people are good.”

She said she would like to study the curriculum in Nigeria and compare it with the British curriculum.

On her interaction with the students of Nigeria Model School, she said “they asked very intelligent questions and we were impressed by their enthusiasm.”

Samantha Lane, a British teacher, also came with them. She teaches Media and Humanities at Saint George’s School, Kent, in the United Kingdom.

According to her, the programme would promote understanding among the teachers.

Mrs. Zaina Rajab is a Tanzanian. She teaches French and Swahili in Viwandani Secondary School. She has 22 years experience in teaching.

She said she would like to know more about the learning environment in Nigeria secondary schools.

She is of the opinion that children will perform better if they are taught in their mother tongue.

On the benefits of the programme, Miss Olateru-Olagbegi said it would contribute to professional excellence, as the teachers will emulate best practices whenever they can find it.

Mrs. Hannah Mingongose is a Tanzanian and she teaches Mathematics and Physics at Miyiyi Secondary School. She is in Nigeria for the first time. She believes the programme will enrich the knowledge of the teachers and students because they will learn from the situation in each country.

Mr. Jones Tette is also a Tanzanian. He is the only male in the team. He has 33 years teaching experience. He teaches Building Construction at Chinangai Secondary School.

The principal of Nigeria Model Secondary School, Mr. Kunle Labinjo called on the British Council to show more commitment to the programme and improve its funding.

He added that Nigerian teachers were grateful to the British Council for sponsoring the programme.

The Connecting Classrooms Club is one of the various ways the British Council has been supporting education in Nigeria.