from inside the classroom for positive results? Here are some different strategies already effectively applied by our teachers at ensuring it’s a win-win situation for everyone concerned. As a forward-thinking Academy, our basic approach is centred around our vision which is to create future leaders.
Hierarchical Grouping
Instead of our previous Learning Support Programme that simply tagged our students into a slow learner category, we have introduced a 40/20 strategic teaching programme that purely devotes 40 minutes to mainstream teaching and 20 minutes to independent coaching. By so doing, we are creating an opportunity where teachers can also spend time with the students that need extra attention without having to label them negatively. Secondly, we have added two teachers in the classroom to maintain a collaborative and team-teaching experience in core subjects like English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, etc. With this more inclusive teaching method, many students will gain extra support in the classroom and a lasting learning experience is maximally achieved. So far, we have seen an appreciable success evident in students’ results. This marked improvement in overall performance is significant and is testimony to the fact that our efforts are gradually paying off. In addition, students who have established a good understanding of a particular topic might be paired with a student who hasn’t. The main objective is to encourage a student to student learning situation as students tend to learn better from their peers.
Choice of words and expressions
By progressively introducing new words and new methods that will allow us to keep a friendly atmosphere with our students, while simultaneously addressing their poor behaviour, we are encouraging our staff to say ‘do you have a question’ instead of saying “stop talking and disturbing other students” or “do you need help focusing?” instead of “pay attention and stop fooling around while I’m talking?”. We already know how words can affect our emotional and psychological wellbeing. Therefore, we will continue to recommend constructive use of words while addressing our students. We encourage this approach to continue outside school and even at home.
Make STEAM available
For us it’s been a real “catch-22” situation in this area. The world is evolving; so are learning opportunities. Our students have impressively made us proud. It might interest you to know that one of our students in Year 11 Master IwotTorobong designed a smartphone-controlled scrolling notice board. Presently, it is serving as a useful tool in our Multipurpose Hall for information display. We will continue to build confidence in our students by supporting, showcasing more innovations like this and above all helping them to find their destiny path. Similarly, in an effort to groom our students to become effective communicators - which is one of our core values, we have engaged an additional staff member who we believe will continue with this vision of our founding members. And as we make progress in this area, we will communicate the achievements accordingly.
Making the curriculum more reflective
We are at the centre stage of developing a curriculum that covers all our students with different learning needs. This method allows them to show their experiences, histories and questions. However, our students will be given the opportunities to introduce what they would like to learn about and link them together with the subjects across the curriculum. For example, if the school resources only show why all our Nigerian past presidents are male, our students should be able to ask why we’ve never had a female president. We are grooming critical thinkers not robots.
Quick-fix correction
Our new behaviour management system has also been modified. We have introduced a score-card system that provides a structured and uniform mode of reward and punishment which conforms with the students’ handbook. Students are forthwith appropriately sanctioned and at the same time, rewards are given to those that have shown a positive behavioural change. We are also looking into our punishment styles. For example, asking a student to stand up during assembly or to kneel down are public humiliation practices and we know such practices do not always guarantee a positive behavioural change.
It is with these steps that we can build a classroom, a total school and an education system that is more inclusive for everyone.
Elizabeth Shoga
Human Resources
Premiere Academy FHA Lugbe, Abuja
Established in 2005, Premiere Academy is notably a top-rated technology driven boarding school in Nigeria with an atmosphere for academic experience and adventure.
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