How Accelerated Christian Education enhances children's learning

EDUCATION

It's every parent's dream to provide the best education for their children. However, as times change, so has education become more diverse.

David Rogers Kintu, an educationist says that the curriculum is vital in determining the future of the children.

The principal of Asifiwe International Academy notes that many programmes and systems of teaching have been introduced. Notable of them is the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE).

"ACE is learning-based-not teaching-based," he notes.

A child sits in his office in class

 
Kintu adds that some school managements concentrate on how to make the pupils excel in academics for their schools to shine. Very little regard is given to how and what the children learn at the end of the day.
 
This curriculum also integrates character-building principals and scripture memory into academics. This helps children grow to see life from God's point of view.

Allen Viola Naggayi , ACE  monitor (teacher) explains that this curriculum is Christian based and individualised.

Learning Center

 
"It really meets every child's needs. Emphasis is put on the child's learning rather than teaching.  As we all know, good teaching does not guarantee proper learning," she elaborates.

Naggayi adds that with ACE, children are taken through the 60 character traits of Jesus Christ such as kindness, faithfulness, prudence and appreciation, among others.

There are also six core subjects but which are studied  in a different way. These include; Mathematics, English, creative literature, word building, science and social studies.

In the learning centre (classroom), learning is individualised. Each pupil sits in their own office, goes through the work books and sets the targets they can achieve in a day.

In case they need help from the supervisor or monitor, they raise a flag and they are attended to.

In such a setting, the class population doesn't exceed 25.

 Patrick Kavuma, another ACE teacher adds that the pupils are defined by having a high degree of responsibility over their personal set goals, being determined and being of good character.

ACE curriculum nurtures the child

A curriculum that builds a character foundation will best prepare children for tomorrow because it's only by learning good character traits that our children will be able to stand in this increasingly challenging World.

Kintu says, parents can only prepare children for the future not preparing the future for them. When this is done, we can be confident that they will stand against the evil schemes of this world even when we turn our backs to them.

"The ACE programme helps your child to measure his own progress and achievement through built in check-ups and self -tests in every subject," he emphasises.

A child is monitored under this curriculum

 
Your child is also encouraged to assume responsibility for his/ her learning through controlled personal scoring, correction of errors and review before progressing further in the curriculum.

As part of the ACE programme, your child learns valuable organisational skills by being required to set daily, challenging goals. As these goals are completed and crossed off, there is a natural feeling of accomplishment.

There is not a single programme that helps a child take responsibility for learning than the ACE programme. And when a child does not take responsibility to learn, they will definitely lose interest and motivation to learn.

Meanwhile, trying to motivate a child to learn through instilling fear is not sustainable, and worse still make a child repeat a class creates more loss of self-esteem.

Students are monitored in the learning centre

ACE rules

Kintu explains that under the ACE curriculum, the laws recognise that; the child must be at a level where they can perform, must have reasonable goals and their learning must be rewarded.

The learning must also be controlled, motivated and the child's learning must be measured.

"With these laws in proper balance, your child will experience; progressive and motivated learning," he asserts.

Kintu adds that the child will receive proper diagnosis and prescription in all academic areas. The result is an academic programme tailored just for him or her.