Wolaitta Development Association, Rise Alliance for Children, Wolaita Zone Education Department, and Gugut Montessori are jointly conducting a training of trainers (TOT) and education professionals workshop for the Play-Based Learning project.
This training is being implemented based on a prior Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Wolaitta Development Association, Rise Alliance for Children, Wolaita Zone Education Department, and Gugut Montessori to collaborate on pre-primary education.
The objective of the training is to transform the traditional, rote-memorization and forced-learning methods currently observed in early childhood education. Instead, the project aims to enable children to acquire knowledge and social skills joyfully through play.
Mr. Michael Saol, head of Wolaita Zone Education Department, emphasized that the foundation laid during a child’s early years of education plays a crucial role in their future life journey. He further elaborated that the project will target 462 primary schools across 25 structures within the zone.
Out of these, 50 schools will be fully equipped with learning materials, while teachers in the remaining schools will receive capacity-building training.
He assured us that the department will provide all necessary monitoring and support for the project’s success.
Ms. Hana Petros, Country Director of Rise Alliance for Children, stated that her organization focuses heavily on holistic child development and quality pre-primary education. ”Play-based learning is not just ordinary entertainment. It is a scientific method through which children understand the world through their own interests and active participation, practice solving daily problems, and strengthen their social interactions.” She added that Rise Alliance for Children will strengthen this partnership with Wolaita Zone and Wolaitta Development Association and plans to expand its support in the future.
The ongoing five-day training of trainers includes practical exercises on how to enhance children’s emotional, language, and listening skills through play. It also focuses on creating a classroom environment where children can learn freely without fear or anxiety, helping to shape their behavior in a positive way. This training will subsequently be cascaded down to pre-primary school teachers.
Wolaitta Development Association and Wolaita Zone have long been working extensively on education quality and accessibility. This current partnership with Rise Alliance for Children is believed to significantly enhance the quality of pre-primary education in the zone.