Is an educator, your role is to provide learners with the best possible knowledge to prepare them for the future. The most effective way to achieve this is to understand and nurture the individual learning needs of each student. Educators opine that one of the best ways to achieve this is through the use of Individual Learning Plan (ILP). This is a student-directed planning and monitoring tool that customises learning opportunities throughout students’ school experience. The tool helps broaden learners’ perspectives and supports the attainment of goals in the future. Importance Aminadhad Niyonshuti, an English teacher at Apaper Complex School in Kicukiro says the most important aspect about ILP is that it can be used to link a student’s career interests with the educational steps and subjects needed to enter that career. He says in this case, the teacher is able to assess each student’s strengths and knowledge in a specific area, which helps them to develop a curriculum and establish a well-defined learning plan for each individual. “With ILP, learners are able to set goals and plan for what they want to be in future. This will also help them be in position to consider what it is they are aiming for,” he says. Niyonshuti further points out that this can even be applied to younger learners to help them know exactly what they want, at this age they begin to develop distinct preferences, skills, strengths, and interests. On the other hand, Diane Nawatti, an educator and counsellor says ILP can be inspiring and help students’ interest as they can clearly see what they are aspiring to be in the future. She notes that when learners are working towards a goal and planning for the future, there’s a greater chance they will be inspired and put in their best efforts. “I believe ILP helps students see beyond the walls of the classroom and imagine themselves in the future. Besides, it also encourages planning, goal setting, and preparing for the future which means a greater chance of future success for the student,” she says. In addition to this, Nawatti points out that this kind of learning can help students feel more connected to their studies, which is very essential. In fact, the educator says ILPs have been shown to foster higher levels of student motivation to persist in school, a result of increased clarity regarding postsecondary options, goal-setting skills, and an understanding of their own interests. Mathias Nkeeto, another educator from Green Hills Academy says it also increases attendance, fewer disciplinary referrals, and improved academic self-efficacy as well as a greater likelihood of students engaging deeply in challenging academic work. He goes on to note that the use of an ILP can help students, and schools focus on specific activities and areas that promote these skills and increase the likelihood of a successful transition to the world of work. “It also helps students’ discovery of many careers, developing education plans as well as creating, maintaining and changing resumes,” he says.
