Florence Mbabazi uses group tasks to help pupils excel

By Andrew Masinde

Patient and soft-spoken are the words used to describe Florence Mbabazi.Mbabazi a teacher at Kabalega Primary School in Masindi district demonstrates good classroom management and is a role model to both pupils and fellow teachers.

“It is a good experience dealing with pupils. I treat them in a motherly way and this has made me become a better teacher. If you treat children well, they can understand what you are teaching. You do not have to shout at them,”

Mbabazi adds that she grades the pupils’ homework and keeps track of their performance. “This helps me deal with each child individually,” she says.

Since the school is in the village, most of the pupils have many problems ranging from their personal lives to family. Mbabazi makes time to talk to each child to find out their problems.

If the problem involves parents, she orgainises to talk to them.

She says the practice has changed the pupils behaviours, helped them improve on their academics and the way they relate with each other.

Teaching methods

“Whenever I have a problem that requires advice she is always ready to provide it,” Joseph Isingoma, a fellow teacher says.

Mbabazi arranges her class in such a way that helps her move freely and attend to every pupil.

“Pupils, who regularly share the same seat, end up becoming good friends. They then lack concentration. The only way to control this is by changing the sitting arrangement from time to time,” Mbabazi says.

Mbabazi comes to class early and leaves very late which she says helps her organise her work schedule on time.

“It is good when you have a daily lesson plan. It helps the teacher not to forget some topics and to avoid repetition,” Mbabazi says.

Mbabazi divides her class into groups of nine and appoints a secretary for each group to make notes. When she finishes a topic, she gives the pupils assignments about what they have learnt and they are told to close their books and answer questions.

“The teacher should involve pupils as much as possible so that they do not get bored,” Mbabazi explains.

Words of wisdom

“Children should be treated with respect and dignity if you want them to be disciplined and grow into responsible adults. Give them room and support to grow both in academics and other developmental fields,” Mbabazi says.

Mbabazi does not support corporal punishment. She believes in counselling and advice.

“One day I came to class late and thought she was going to beat me. Instead she told me to come with my parent. She talked to my mother and told her not to give me a lot of house work that would make me late for school,” Judith Driwaru, one of the pupils says.

The environmentalist

Mbabazi started the Roots and Shoots Club which has helped the school’s campaign to conserve the environment. It is through this club that the pupils have managed to grow flowers for the school compound.

“Before Mbabazi joined us, the school had no flowers until she came up with a campaign of beautifying the school,” Peninah Abiru, a teacher says.