Mentors to get net books and projectors

Approximately 1000 net books and projectors will be distributed to senior and school-based mentors to support high quality teacher training in English language and teaching methods.The five week national distribution and training kicked off on January 13 at Club House La Palisse Hotel, Nyandungu. The distribution is in partnership with Rwanda Education Board (REB) and the USAID-funded Literacy, Language, and Learning (L3) Initiative. The net book computers are loaded with videos, audio, and print materials that will support school-based mentors in building teachers’ English language skills and improving their teaching of literacy and numeracy skills.Dr. John Rutayisire Director General REB, said, school-based mentors and head teachers will be oriented on caring for the net book computers, and the mentors will learn about the resources and how to access them.“The mentoring programme aims at improving the quality of education in Rwanda, with these world-class multimedia resources we want to ensure that mentors have the tools they need to make that impact,” he said.The net book computers include a self-assessment tool and diagnostic test as part of a system dubbed Rwanda English Proficiency Standards for teachers (REPS) as well as a resource pack to support learning for each level within this system.He added that, “after training by senior mentors, school-based mentors will be able to use the appropriate resources to support teachers’ language development.”Peter Malnak USAID/ Rwanda Mission Director said supporting the professional development of teachers and mentors is a key component of USAID’s broader efforts to improve the quality of education in Rwanda’s schools nationwide.“Better equipped teachers can be more effective and prepared for their students success. We believe these materials, which use a variety of innovative technologies, will enable educators to teach well in this increasingly digital age,” he said.He added that, School-based mentors will support teachers to ensure that the materials and methods of the programme are used as intended.The training materials include videos of teacher demonstrations illustrating what they teach, methods in a classroom and how they impact student learning.For the 2014 academic year, REB with the support of the L3 Initiative will distribute 6.8 million books as well as cell phones and speakers for broadcasting audio. These materials will support learner-cantered, research-based lessons for English, Kinyarwanda, and mathematics.The L3 Initiative is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by the Education Development Center, Inc (EDC) with partners.