Girls On Track: Beatrice's Story
Beatrice is a student in Tanzania who felt that corporal punishment affected her school attendance. She noted that school was a threatening environment for her, saying "It has always been common for a teacher to come to class carrying a bunch of sticks. Students are learning in fear and it makes them want to skip classes.”
With support from the Isle of Man government, our Girls on Track programme is helping to create non-threatening learning environments for pupils and teachers. We do this through teacher training where teachers learn play-based methodologies to improve their classes. This is helping to bridge social connections and increase positive engagement for children in school activities.
Beatrice has already seen the positive effects of Right To Play teacher training in her school.
"Now, when a teacher walks into the classroom, we're excited and we greet them warmly. We have become happy and focused." - Beatrice
Beatrice is now going to school regularly.
A primary school Headteacher remarked that play-based trainings have been received in positive ways, as teachers are taught to use games and songs in and out of the classes. Relationships amongst teachers themselves and teachers with pupils have improved, which means that teachers find that they don't need to use corporal punishment on their students any longer.
Life skills such as confidence and cooperation have improved among pupils and there is greater cooperation between teachers and pupils during learning activities.
We want to thank the Isle of Man government for supporting our Girls on Track programme and helping girls like Beatrice learn in a safe environment!