The School Teach Project’s, mission is to ensure that students are properly equipped with the foundational knowledge necessary for their academic excellence.
Our journey began at the Isolo community when we noticed a significant gap in understanding basic concepts, particularly in core subjects like Mathematics and Science, among many of the students. One example that stood out was during a tutorial where a student confidently shouted that 15 divided by 5 equals 1, explaining that “5 cancels 5, leaving 1.”
This instance, though alarming, wasn’t an isolated event. It became clear that many students were struggling with misconceptions rooted in poor foundational teaching. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, we made a conscious decision to structure our approach, focusing on tutorials specifically designed to address these gaps in knowledge while preparing students to pass their Junior WAEC and SSCE.
Our approach was both challenging and strategic. We set out to demystify core subjects such as Mathematics, Basic Science, English, and Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), among others. The goal was not only to help students pass their exams but to foster a deeper understanding of these subjects by building on fundamental laws and principles.
We began by reviewing past lessons and identifying misconceptions, then gradually replacing those flawed notions with correct, verifiable knowledge. This wasn’t an easy task. Many of the students had spent years internalizing incorrect methods, making it difficult to overwrite old habits. The process of unlearning and relearning was both mentally and emotionally exhausting for them, as well as for our team of tutors.
However, instead of succumbing to frustration, we saw this as an opportunity to engage more deeply with our students. We adopted a flipped classroom model, a teaching methodology that puts students at the center of their learning experience. This method encouraged active participation rather than passive reception of information. Students were given materials to explore topics on their own, allowing classroom sessions to focus on discussion, collaboration, and problem-solving.
The road wasn’t without its challenges. Overcoming years of improper teaching, low self-esteem, and academic anxiety was no small feat. But after weeks of dedicated lessons, sincere engagement, and personalized attention from our tutors, we were able to secure a 100% pass rate amidst all our students.
Next, we dove into the realm of Creative Studies, a dynamic avenue created to allow students to express themselves beyond the traditional confines of STEM subjects. Recognizing the importance of nurturing creativity alongside academic rigor, we wanted to provide our students with opportunities to tap into their artistic potential, explore their interests, and develop hands-on skills that would both stimulate their imaginations and provide practical knowledge.
Creative Studies opened the door to a wide range of artistic endeavors, giving students the freedom to express their individuality and creativity in ways they may never have experienced in a typical classroom setting. The process was designed to be both educational and therapeutic, helping students break free from the pressures of academic achievement and instead focus on self-expression, collaboration, and craftsmanship.
Students engaged in a range of creative activities, including bag making, bead design, painting, and collage creation, which allowed them to develop practical skills like sewing and jewelry crafting while exploring artistic expression, fostering creativity, patience, and a sense of ownership over their unique designs.
Through these creative workshops, students began to develop confidence in their abilities beyond the traditional subjects of Maths, Science, and English. They were given a safe space to experiment with new ideas and techniques, collaborate with their peers, and learn new skills that could potentially evolve into lifelong hobbies or even future careers.
After successfully introducing Creative Studies, we embarked on our most ambitious project to date: launching the **first-ever digital training program** tailored specifically for primary and secondary school students, ranging from Grades 5 to 12. This monumental initiative represented a significant leap forward in our commitment to provide holistic education that prepares students for the evolving demands of the digital world.
To ensure that the training was impactful and met each student at their level of understanding, we implemented the **Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL)** pedagogy. This approach allowed us to group students strategically, ensuring that they could learn at a pace suited to their individual needs while benefiting from peer collaboration. By pairing students of similar abilities together, we fostered an environment where they could support one another, making the digital learning process more engaging and effective.
The digital training covered a broad range of essential skills designed to prepare students for the future, from basic computer literacy and internet safety to more advanced topics such as coding, digital creativity, and research skills. Recognizing the need to bridge the gap between traditional education and modern technological skills, we ensured that students received hands-on training that could empower them both academically and in real-world applications.
By equipping students with these digital tools and knowledge, we are not only preparing them to succeed in their current studies but also providing them with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven future. The impact of this program is far-reaching, as students who once viewed technology as intimidating are now confidently navigating digital landscapes, creating, coding, and solving problems with the aid of technology.
This project has opened new doors for our students, and we are excited to continue expanding the program to reach even more young learners, helping them to harness the full potential of digital education in ways that will shape their futures.