MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Dr Wada makes education fashionable again
Getting the best out of children with different learning disabilities is what family medicine specialist and founder of Dr. Wada’s Tutorials, Dr. Wada Goitsemang-Keofitlhile, is preoccupied with. It is a passion which sprang from her love for education and helping others especially children to excel “not just academically but holistically. Most students struggling with learning disabilities go on the rest of their lives not getting the help they need to succeed in their academic journeys.
“Usually, parents tend to ignore or are unaware of the fact that their child is suffering from such a disorder. This can affect a child’s motivation and self-esteem,” she says.
Learning disorders, according to Dr Goitsemang-Keofitlhile, are conditions affecting about 10 percent of school-going children globally. Some common learning disorders affect the ability of reading, verbal and non-verbal skills, writing and grasping skills. Often labelled as lazy or difficult, children with learning disabilities tend to struggle with understanding concepts and communicating effectively. Common learning disorders include Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia. “Often these will be associated with other conditions like Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), Autism and mood disorders,” she says.
Signs that a child might be struggling with a learning disorder include; taking too long to complete homework, inconsistent grades, disruptive or aggressive behaviour, language difficulties and low self-esteem amongst others. Dr GoitsemangKeofithile explains that she often sees parents being frustrated by a child’s school performance, enrolling them on private tutorials when sometimes all they really need is a proper evaluation of learning disorders. “Any child suspected to have a learning disability needs a comprehensive assessment by a multidisciplinary team, including a medical doctor to evaluate the patient and check if there is any other explanation for the condition. “Once we diagnose the condition, the next step is intervention by management of co-morbid conditions, if any. Academic support like individualised learning programmes is important to individualise learning so that the child is not overwhelmed by feeling like they are behind in their academic age group,” she explained. In most cases early intervention gives excellent results. According to the doctor regular school psychology consultations as well as individual or family psychotherapy to help the family cope with the learning disability and know how to integrate the patient is also important. Dr Goitsemang-Keofitlhile started the tutoring business in 2018, when she had to fund her post graduate fees in Family medicine and did not have funding. “I introspected and established that education and excelling has always been my main identifier. I was the national best student in BGCSE exams in 2006 and the Junior Certificate exams in 2004 and throughout my academic career I helped others to succeed,” she said. Word of mouth got around and within a span of four years, she had moved from a couple of students to over 400 to date. Engaging parents, the students, teachers and communities to help children, Dr. Wada’s Tutorials offer programmes for communities interested in getting group sessions for kids to keep them out of trouble after hours. “We also do behaviour counselling and I believe we can improve students’ grades if we are all committed and work together in ensuring students have a brighter future. “We are looking for partnerships in corporate social responsibility from companies and communities so we can assist many children to excel,” she said. Saddened by the declining pass rate over the years, Dr. Goitsemang-Keofitlhile stressed the importance of making education fashionable again, “to value it and to work together as communities to improve the pass rate and the holistic education of the child in the community”.