"No idle sitting in class..."

This week, I am bringing you a profile from one of our literacy teachers at Mnyaula Primary School. Earlier this year, we wrote about an innovative new phonics project we piloted at two of our schools. Today, I’d like you to meet Changwe Banda!

 Changwe is 26 years old and comes from neighboring Chipata District. She began working at Impact Network in January 2021 and this is her first teaching position. Madam Banda taught her grade 1 and 2 literacy classes during the first term in 2021, with typical Impact Network curriculum based on the Zambian National syllabus.  In the second term, she began teaching those same learners using the newly developed Cinyanja phonics materials!

When Changwe first learned about the pilot project, she wasn’t sure what to expect.  “At first what came into my mind was that will be using letters to teach sounds, but I was surprised that we were introduced to teach the leaners using the picture cards with mouth positions during the first phase.” 

Changwe observed the level of student engagement is noticeably higher using the new phonics approach this term.  She noted that “the lesson is very much interactive because it brings about socialization amongst the learners as it encourages team work among learners. The learners help each other look for a picture and read out the word together…There isn’t idle sitting in class during the phonics lesson!” Changwe also noted that students have been more eager to attend school as they look forward to the games and activities during the phonics lessons. 

When comparing how her learners have responded to the new pilot curriculum as compared to the more traditional approach she used last term, Changwe shared, “There is a difference there, especially to the slow learners. Those who were not able to identify the letters at least now they know the sound of the letter…The students are doing well because they’re able to identify the sounds on the pictures and sound out correctly…My overall impression is that am happy to have program brought to our learners, at least every child in class is able to sound out the letters, no one is behind.” 

We are so proud of Changwe Banda and all of our phonics pilot teachers! We have learned so much from their work over this school year.