Newspapers promoting critical thinking
Apr 19, 2019
“The use of newspapers encourages learners to explore new things, encourages research since children need to discover new things and it also encourages critical thinking which is not the case with textbooks where leaners have to cram,”
EDUCATION
Not long ago, Karamoja region was portrayed by the rest of the country as a neglected part of the country only associated with poverty, cattle rustling and suffering.
But fast forward in 2019, the region is flourishing in many aspects like tourism, education and road infrastructure, among others.
The region is now connected to the rest of the country with a tarmac road and most of the districts now have electricity.
Joyce Nahoe, an ABEK facilitator demonstrates how a newspaper can be used as teaching material. (Photo by Geoffrey Mutegeki)
Education being one of the major drivers of development, is also facing a revolution with new approaches aimed at improving learning outcomes for the students.
One of the flourishing innovations in the bid to improve education is the introduction of Newspapers in Education (NiE) programme by the New Vision and Save the Children Uganda.
The schools receive free copies of the New Vision, containing Toto Magazine, Mwalimu and NiE pullouts every Wednesday. Teachers use these papers in their classrooms in various ways.
On Thursday, a team from the New Vision's NiE project started a six-day visit in the region with the first stop in Napak district.
They trained 40 teachers from formal schools and Alternative Basic Education for Karamoja (ABEK) facilitators on the use of the newspapers as instructional materials in the classroom.
Teachers and ABEK facilitators from Napak during training on how to use newspapers as instructional materials in class. (Photo by Geoffrey Mutegeki)
According to the New Vision Features editor, John Eremu, NiE programme is being conducted in Karamoja region schools with the aim of transforming the education in the region.
In all the Uganda National Examinations Board for all levels most schools in Karamoja have consistently been among the worst performers.
"The use of newspapers encourages learners to explore new things, encourages research since children need to discover new things and it also encourages critical thinking which is not the case with textbooks where leaners have to cram," Eremu says.
He however says the newspaper should not replace the textbooks, but rather complement them.
"When you use newspapers it helps teachers bring real world application to the subjects they teach," Eremu says.
Newspaper in Education is a joint effort between New Vision and schools to promote the use of newspapers as an educational resource in the classroom.
Godfrey Oketch from Kalotom Primary school notes that most schools lack sufficient written resources and newspapers come handy to supplement the textbooks.
"The programme is helping us with instructional material, most schools lack enough teaching materials but by using newspapers we are able to be innovative," Oketch said.
New Vision's Feauture Editor John Eremu during the training. (Photo by Geoffrey Mutegeki)
Joyce Namoe, a facilitator from Namekwi B ABEK center says the use of newspapers creates a bridge between the real world and the classroom because they are always up to date.
"Through the use of newspapers we are always up-to-date with what is happening in the country, which makes teaching interesting. The newspapers also have amazing range pictures that we link closely as the community and helps teaching become easy since learners can also easily relate," Namoe says.
Joy Abo, the Deputy Features' editor, encouraged teachers to embrace the use of newspapers since it promotes literacy and makes learning fun.
"Reading newspapers often leads to a long habit of reading all sorts of material. And when children know how to read they will be able to excel in their life," Abo says.
The NiE team will continue its six-day trip to Nakapiripirit, Moroto, and Kotido districts.