Tanzania school leadership gets Dubai help
Dubai Cares programme gives leadership training to head and deputy head teachers
Dubai Cares has announced it is strengthening school leadership skills through its Fursa kwa Watoto Pre-Primary Education Programme in Tanzania.
Leadership and mentor training for head and deputy head teachers is one of the key elements of the programme that aims to build the capacity of school leaders and support quality pre-primary education.
Through the training provided by Dubai Cares support, school administrators have changed their practices, perceptions and attitudes towards pre-primary education, it said.
Jeremiah Wanzago, 36, the head teacher of Kigongo Primary School, had not received any leadership training or familiarisation with pre-primary since his appointment. He has 10 years of working experience, including a year in a leadership position as head teacher.
Wanzago said: “I was so happy to be appointed as a head teacher; but the position is associated with a lot of stress, especially when you don’t have any leadership background and you are expected to demonstrate quality leadership. It was a headache. But I am glad that since Dubai Cares funded Fursa kwa Watoto leadership training, I have relaxed and I am working very confidently knowing what I am supposed to do as a leader.”
Previously, he used to rarely visit the pre-primary class. Wanzago said: “At that time, pre-primary class was not my priority; thus, the class remained in a very poor condition. I was very ignorant about this class. But currently this is one of the classes that I like the most, because the training has opened my eyes.”
Soon after the training, his focus was directed towards pre-primary class and its children. His first step was to share the lessons learnt from Fursa kwa Watoto training with all teachers at school, parents and community members, who in turn responded positively.
His mobilisation strategies focused upon renovating the classroom, providing a consistent feeding programme, making play and teaching materials available and participation of parents in class.