Community learning centres are informal pre-schools established by people with a passion to provide early education for children living in socially marginalised communities.
The Digicel PNG Foundation, by way of endowing in early childhood learning, has invested in the Community Learning Centre (CLC) TISA program which aims to build the capacity of CLC teachers and board members.
This is to effectively deliver early childhood learning and development programs to effectively raise CLC school standards to achieve quality outcome for children and stakeholders involved.
To date, the community has supported up to 260 community based teachers, impacting over 1,000 children and community members.
The six-week program is currently into its second week.
Digicel PNG Foundation programs manager, Emi Aiga, spoke exceedingly of the program status being a successive stage in a child’s life to absorb as much as they can.
“Digicel Foundation invests in early childhood learning because we believe that education is the single biggest opportunity one can give a child. That is where, between the ages of 3 and 7, a child’s brain is like a sponge. That is where they absorb as many things as they can.”
The teachers involved in the CLC TISA program are those that have completed certain levels of education but have the passion and skills to teach young children.
4L Training and Consultancy Director, Mara Wape, said he believes this is the biggest ingredient for any teacher to become a successful teacher and role model.
“We would want to give them the right pathological skills, that’s teaching and learning. Teaching them the right skills to teach and while they have the desire to teach, we back them up with the right skills and right tools to support them in their teaching.”
Teacher Genmarie Roho of Children of Light CLC had this to say about the program.
“I love children and seeing them running around on the streets and doing nothing, has driven me to go and be part of a team that can get the children out and make a difference in their lives, especially by teaching in the CLC centres, we can get them together and make something out of those children.”
By the end of the program, the CLC boards can effectively manage their CLCs through the enactment of their policies and effectively deliver early childhood literacy services to students.
Furthermore, they will be able to upgrade their education qualifications through Flexible Open and Distance Education.
(Tokoro Elementary School – Picture: Digicel Foundation)