Newspapers are reliable instructional materials — Karamoja school head
Children learn to join words and read sentences, identify pictures, letters and count numbers. For example, Francis Airo, 13, a Primary Two pupil, says TOTO Magazine has helped him to learn to count from 0-40. Esther Nakol, 11, enjoys matching the pictures and learning new words.
TOTO Magazine excites learners.
NAPAK - “I teach under difficult conditions, but ever since my school started receiving newspapers, my work has been simplified,” Teresa Korobe, head teacher of Lokodiokodio 4 Community School, says. Korobe also doubles as a volunteer and only teacher at the school located in Ngoleriet Sub-County in Napak District, Karamoja Sub-Region.
The school has one makeshift structure built with sticks under a tree. It is the class where all 76 learners of Primary One and Two gather for lessons. They have no scholastic materials or furniture. They are also joined by the early childhood learners, some as young as a year or so.
Korobe mainly concentrates on numeracy and literacy. Her dream and focus is to see that these children learn to read and write. The newspapers she receives come in handy, serving as reliable instructional materials.
Korobe conducting a lesson at Lokodiokodio 4 Community School in Napak district.
However, Korobe points out that many learners cannot write because they lack books and pencils. Some practice on the ground using sticks or their fingers.
Every week, the school receives 25 copies of New Vision newspapers, and each copy comes with TOTO Magazine which excites the children.
“When the papers arrive on Monday, I group the learners and distribute TOTO magazines, ensuring that each group receives at least three copies.”
Korobe, the head teacher with Esther Arinaitwe, manager NiE at Vision Group with pupils at Lokodiokodio 4 Community School in Napak district.
“Running a school single-handedly and without a salary or budget is exhausting, but I continue to volunteer for the good of my community,” she says, adding that TOTO Magazine is like a second teacher that keeps the kids excited and motivated to learn. She thanks SAVE THE CHILDREN, an international organisation that saves and cares for children, for the weekly donation.
Meanwhile, Lokodiokodio 4 Community School receives the newspapers under the Newspapers in Education (NiE) programme, which is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through Save the Children and New Vision. NORAD is implementing a five-year programme from 2024 to 2028 called.
“Transforming the Future-For and with Children” in Acholi and Karamoja regions. The program aims to ensure that all children enjoy their rights to survival, protection, development and participation in a safe, inclusive, accountable and resilient environment.