DILI, 08 march 2024 (TATOLI) – Fifty volunteers in Manatuto received Training of Trainers (ToT) from ChildFund Timor-Leste on how to facilitate reading sessions and operate reading programs for students in Primary Education. The training took place in Natarbora from 5th to 7th of march 2024. The objective of this training is to enhance the volunteers’ knowledge on how to facilitate and conduct reading sessions with students who have difficulty reading. It also aims to increase the volunteers’ confidence to support children through one-on-one reading programs between the student and the volunteer.
“ChildFund continues its efforts to enhance literacy skills among children, through collaborative work with community members, such as the volunteers that have received the trainings. These trained volunteers will greatly contribute to improving the literacy skills of children, aiming to increase their curiosity for further learning and enhance their imagination regarding sciences,” said Alzira dos Reis, Country Director for ChildFund Timor-Leste, in a statement.
These reading sessions will strengthen the provision of reading programs for children outside of school hours, supporting literacy for children in primary school (grades 1-4) who are affected by learning loss and not achieving literacy outcomes. In line with ChildFund’s commitment to promoting inclusion, these schools will receive support to involve children with disabilities in this program.
“The ToT for the volunteers is very important because it enhances the volunteers’ knowledge and ability on how to facilitate reading sessions for children who have difficulty reading. After the three days of training, these volunteers will start conducting reading session for children identified by the teachers from each school,” said Agueda Freitas, Education Manager at ChildFund Timor-Leste.
After the training, the volunteers will conduct reading sessions at 10 Primary Schools such as EBF Pualaca, EBF Salau, EBF Uma-Boco, EBF Aimeta Laran, EBF Aubeon, EBF Bua, EBC Labitin, EBF Labubu, EBF Sananain, and EBF Seurtulan in Barique, Soibada, laclubar, and Lacló Administrative Post. The Reading sessions will be held once a week to students who are being identified by schoolteachers as having difficulty with reading.
Every Child Achieving Literacy Outcomes” (ECALO) project is supported by the Australian government (Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)) through the Australian Non-profit Corporation Program (ANCP). This project has a duration of three years and will work with 10 Basic Education Schools in Manatuto Municipality.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
