How often should goals be set?
May 25, 2010
Gaston Byamugisha, a lecturer at the Department of Psychology, Kyambogo University, says learning goals are s et depending on where the child is studying. If a child is in a day school, goals should be set and reviewed weekly.
Gaston Byamugisha, a lecturer at the Department of Psychology, Kyambogo University, says learning goals are s et depending on where the child is studying. If a child is in a day school, goals should be set and reviewed weekly.
For students in boarding school, goals should be set monthly and parents should review them monthly during visitation days or during Parents Teachers Association meetings.
How often do parents set goals?
Simon Ndira, a parent with a daughter in P.1, says he encourages her to spend 80% of her time playing because she is still young. Every evening, he drills his daughter on English skills. He advises parents of young children not to overstretch them with too much academic work.
Rose Nabulobi, a parent at North Road Primary School in Mbale, sets learning goals for her P.7 child every week and reviews them weekly. “His problem is math, so I show him how to do some numbers, consulting brighter friends and teachers. We go through every topic. This has helped him master math,†says Nabulobi.
Ndira stresses the need to identify a child’s interest rather than forcing a child to do what the parent wants.
Importance of learning goals
Byamugisha says goals help a child to remain focused. “Without learning goals, a child forgets what is vital. Watching TV may be vital to a child but doing homework may be important to a parent. The child may not understand this, so they need guidance through goals,†he adds.
Many parents send their children to school when they are very young and may think they do not need learning goals. “The goals give children an operation framework and aids them to set the timetable and when to attend to other issues like sports,†he says.
Learning goals also help children identify a career path.
Does the education ministry set goals?
Albert Byamugisha, the assistant commissioner-in-charge of planning at the education ministry, says at every level, the National Curriculum Development Centre sets learning goals for each class and specifies what, when and how they should be achieved.
These learning goals are called functional competencies which include academic, extra curricula activities and behaviour. At the end of each topic, a teacher reviews what has been taught and asks questions.
The education ministry follows up learning goals through quarterly inspections by going to the classrooms to see what teachers teach.
The scheme of work also addresses learning goals by guiding teachers on what, when and how to achieve their learning goals. Head teachers and school inspectors are mandated to look at the scheme and evaluate set goals.
School inspectors speak out
Hillary Lopeyok, the inspector of schools for Kaabong district, says some schools are trying to implement the goals, but their biggest obstacle, especially schools under the universal education scheme, is big classes. “A teacher may not be able to attend to all the students,†he says.
Lopeyok says many teachers focus on making pupils pass exams, ignoring the child’s behaviour. An inspector of schools in Bundibugyo district, who preferred anonymity, says the promotion policy set by the education ministry has discouraged the teachers.
“Since the ministry says every child must be promoted, regardless of performance, a teacher sees no need of setting goals.†He says school inspectors also lack the necessary resources like funds or transport to visit schools.
For feedback on this story, write to: education@newvision.co.ug or sms: education (space) your comment and send to 8338
For students in boarding school, goals should be set monthly and parents should review them monthly during visitation days or during Parents Teachers Association meetings.
How often do parents set goals?
Simon Ndira, a parent with a daughter in P.1, says he encourages her to spend 80% of her time playing because she is still young. Every evening, he drills his daughter on English skills. He advises parents of young children not to overstretch them with too much academic work.
Rose Nabulobi, a parent at North Road Primary School in Mbale, sets learning goals for her P.7 child every week and reviews them weekly. “His problem is math, so I show him how to do some numbers, consulting brighter friends and teachers. We go through every topic. This has helped him master math,†says Nabulobi.
Ndira stresses the need to identify a child’s interest rather than forcing a child to do what the parent wants.
Importance of learning goals
Byamugisha says goals help a child to remain focused. “Without learning goals, a child forgets what is vital. Watching TV may be vital to a child but doing homework may be important to a parent. The child may not understand this, so they need guidance through goals,†he adds.
Many parents send their children to school when they are very young and may think they do not need learning goals. “The goals give children an operation framework and aids them to set the timetable and when to attend to other issues like sports,†he says.
Learning goals also help children identify a career path.
Does the education ministry set goals?
Albert Byamugisha, the assistant commissioner-in-charge of planning at the education ministry, says at every level, the National Curriculum Development Centre sets learning goals for each class and specifies what, when and how they should be achieved.
These learning goals are called functional competencies which include academic, extra curricula activities and behaviour. At the end of each topic, a teacher reviews what has been taught and asks questions.
The education ministry follows up learning goals through quarterly inspections by going to the classrooms to see what teachers teach.
The scheme of work also addresses learning goals by guiding teachers on what, when and how to achieve their learning goals. Head teachers and school inspectors are mandated to look at the scheme and evaluate set goals.
School inspectors speak out
Hillary Lopeyok, the inspector of schools for Kaabong district, says some schools are trying to implement the goals, but their biggest obstacle, especially schools under the universal education scheme, is big classes. “A teacher may not be able to attend to all the students,†he says.
Lopeyok says many teachers focus on making pupils pass exams, ignoring the child’s behaviour. An inspector of schools in Bundibugyo district, who preferred anonymity, says the promotion policy set by the education ministry has discouraged the teachers.
“Since the ministry says every child must be promoted, regardless of performance, a teacher sees no need of setting goals.†He says school inspectors also lack the necessary resources like funds or transport to visit schools.
For feedback on this story, write to: education@newvision.co.ug or sms: education (space) your comment and send to 8338