A week-long intensive Standard Based Curriculum (SBC) Science Training Module 2 workshop for Junior Primary Teachers (Grade 3 – Grade 5) ended on a high note at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby last week.
The SBC workshop for trainer of Trainers was attended by 51 participants comprising of Senior Standard Inspector Basic Education (SSIBE), Standard Inspector Basic Education (SIBE), Education Officers (Eos), Provincial Training Coordinators (PTCs), and primary school head teachers. These participants will then go back and implement trainings in 37 clusters in 17 districts in 6 provinces under the BEST PNG project.
The workshop focused on Component 1, which is, Primary in-service teaching training on SBC maths and science under the Boosting Education Standards Together (BEST) in PNG program.
BEST PNG is a three-year program led by the National Department of Education and supported by the Global Partnership of Education (GPE) with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency(JICA) as the coordinating Agency and the Save the Children as the Grant Agent.
The BEST PNG program has 6 different components; Component 1 is on Primary in-service teaching training in SBC maths and science, Component 2 is on Primary pre-service maths and science unit outline dated, Component 3 is on increasing more female maths and science teachers, and Component 4: Variable Part is on equity, efficiency and learning outcomes, Component 5 is on Gr 1& 2Maths and Science teacher manuals, and Component 6 focuses on program management and monitoring.
The trainer of trainers who attended the workshop represent the six provinces where the BEST PNG project is implemented which is Milne Bay, West New Britain, West Sepik, Gulf, Western and Oro Province.
A total of 19 sessions were covered during the workshop which included topics on why teach science, new approach to teaching and learning science, planning an inclusive lesson, baseline findings, student centered lessons and expectations for planning a Science Based Curriculum (SBC) lesson, among others.
The expected outcome of the training for participants to know the workshop materials, reflect on the BEST baseline study findings, share examples of science lessons taught using SBC materials, review their science development action plans, identify knowledge and skills, analyze active learning strategies, explain the differentiation methods and others.
Participant and BEST PNG Provincial Trainer for Oro Province Wesley Pasire said he found the training very useful as it was informative. Wesley said: “I learnt new skills and strategies for our teachers to use and said the training was more child setting and oriented, adding, the new teaching methods could save a lot of teacher’s time.
Another participant, Provincial Training Coordinator for Milne Bay, Phillip Elliot said: ” The sessions were interesting and informative with presentations very clear and the new curriculum easy for child learning. He said these new techniques would replace the old method or style of teaching.
Notable Senior Officers from the Department of Education who attended the closing ceremony and gave speeches included First Assistant Secretary for the Teacher Education and school Inspections Wing, Mr. Paul Ainiu, Assistant Secretary TED, Mr. Allan Jim, JICA’s Assistant Secretary, Curriculum development Division, Mrs. Philipa Darius, and Save the Children’s Operations Director Ms. Joy Wong.