Michael Jordan once said:

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I´ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

What does this tell us about practice and perseverance and how is this connected to our Homework Pilot project? While homework might seem second nature to us here in the U.S., it is really quite uncommon in most of the rural schools that we work with.

Our Homework Pilot Project started at the beginning of the first term of 2019. It was initially rolled out to four schools in Sinda and has now expanded to all Sinda Schools. Students get assigned homework on Tuesday and have until Friday to complete it. Over the weekend, the teacher has time to mark the homework and revises it during class on Monday.

Like any pilot project, we learned a lot in the initial term of the project. Initially, students weren’t completing their work, and parents were not sure how to support their children. So teachers decided to meet with the parents and explain the benefits of homework:

It allows students to learn at their own pace and in their own individual manner.
It helps them to complete the learning process and catch up with class material.
It teaches students how to problem solve and work independently.
It teaches students how to take responsibility for their part in the educational process.
It teaches students how to set priorities and encourages the discipline of practice.
It helps teachers determine how well the lessons are being understood.
It gives parents a chance to see what is being learned at school.

After the discussion, students started to report effectively and homework was handed in on time.

For term one and two the questions for the homework assignments were designed by the Education Program Officers. In term three, teachers started to design the questions and really enjoyed being involved more directly. Which also makes sense since they know best what they taught and what students have learned.

Teselia, our Teacher Supervisor for Sinda, was a driving force of the project with help and support from Godfrey, our Operations Coordinator. She had this to say about the project:

“When I’m in class and ask them to show me their homework books at least twenty of them want to show it to me. You can really tell they enjoy doing their homework and they are proud of their accomplishments.”

She also keeps encouraging teachers and regularly checks in on their experiences. With continuous practice and perseverance – just like Michael Jordan – we hope to see our 6,000 students reach their highest potential!

-Cora (Operations Development Advisor)

I've almost lost 300 games...