Teacher training at Kokwech ensures that education continues

Charles Akol is a parent at Kokwech Primary School. He has one child at the school and is a member of the PTA. He has witnessed the changes at Kokwech, and the increased community involvement. Training helps parents understand the importance of education for their children, aids the transition to secondary school, and helps education flourish in the community.

“It is through Build Africa that we got our first permanent structure at the school. Now we have six classrooms and a teachers office. Kokwech is also receiving another classroom, a kitchen and a store. This will make our school complete. Our children used to learn under trees and lessons were regularly disrupted during the rainy season.”

“When Build Africa started working with our school many parents were taken for training and we created our School Development Plan. I attended training on how to manage the school resources and participate in school development. The training was an eye opener as it helped me learn what makes a good school and what responsibilities the parents have.”

“We, as parents, have attended different types of training. For example, we have been trained as parent peer educators where we were taught how to encourage other parents to change their attitudes to education and health issues such as HIV/AIDs. As a result of attending these training sessions more parents have become involved in the school. Many are now at the forefront of school activities.”

“Attitudes have changed. Parents now attend meetings and follow-up on their children to make sure they are going to school every day. Also, more parents have now enrolled their children at Kokwech because they have heard good things about our school. Parents are active in school life and contribute when they are called on to. The VSLA project has also brought parents together, and helped them save. The community is working well together. Parents have constructed teacher accommodation to help teachers stay at school. Otherwise they have to travel long distances and absenteeism amongst teachers is high.”

“There are fewer cases of illness at school now that we have new classrooms and latrines. The parents are participating by ensuring the buildings are well maintained. The community is very happy with the news that a borehole will soon be drilled. We believe this was the missing bit in making our school a good school. Our school has become a role model in the district, and other schools have come to visit us to learn about best practice which is very encouraging. Without the training that we have received we would not be in this position. We are all very proud.”