Two African school teachers are visiting Nantwich to learn best practice from a local primary school.
The Kenyan teachers are spending several days with staff and pupils of Millfields Primary School on Marsh Lane.
It’s part of an innovative exchange programme called Connecting Classrooms, funded by the British Council, which has seen staff from 12 African schools visiting Cheshire East primaries.
Geoffrey Murali, headteacher of Lions Hill School near Nakuru town, and his senior teacher Nelly Kuria, spoke about how much the visit will improve their school.
“It has been a wonderful experience, and we’ve learned so much. For example, the Kenyan Government want us to start teaching ICT classes, which UK primary schools did a long time ago.
“Watching how they teach this, how they use the computers, and techniques to engage 5, 6 and 7 year olds has been really useful.”
Millfields headteacher Andrew Ross said: “They have been going in to each of the classes and they are seeing lots of little things which we almost take for granted.”
Another stark difference Mr Murali sees is class sizes. Mr Murali has 1,200 primary age children in his school, compared to Millfields’ 205, so classes in Kenya usually consist of 80 children, compared to round 30 in the UK.
He also pointed to security differences, and how much safer and more secure Millfields is compared to Lions Hill.
In one incident in Kenya, a nursery pupil was abducted by a baboon from the neighbouring National Park and Mr Murali had to chase after it to rescue the child.
“Parents here at Millfields are involved in their school and their children, I have been so impressed with them as they bring them and collect them on time every day,” he added.
Mr Ross, who will travel to Kenya in October for a return visit, added: “We both want the best outcomes for our children – to become good citizens of the world, not just citizens of Nantwich.
“We hope this link will continue and develop.”
Robert Graham, Millfields chair of governors, added: “I think this visit has had a massive, positive impact on the children.
“It really makes real what they have only read about, life in countries like Kenya. It excites them and makes them focus.”
(Pic below: Nelly Kuria and Geoffrey Murali, from Kenya, with Millfields headteacher Andrew Ross)
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