By Sumner Kangbap
On Thursday, 24th October Conservationists gathered at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Regent, West of Freetown to exchange ideas and information on the vital components of Tacugama’s work in Sierra Leone and as a Chimp Sanctuary that has immensely contributed to building the capacity of teachers and supporting children in Sierra Leone.
The workshop was facilitated by Teaching and Education expert, Dr. Debbie Tuckwood, BA. (Hons) PGCE Doc Soc Sci, who conducted the ‘Focus on Teaching and Learning Workshop for 13 Teacher-Coordinators of the Roots & Shoots School Clubs at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The aim of the workshop was to explore best practice teaching techniques to help inspire students and make learning stick.
Roots & Shoot is a youth empowerment programme that inspires and enables young people to become compassionate leaders who are globally mindful and locally active by guiding them through youth-led, community environment–related projects that help people, animals and the environment.
In February this year, World-renowned primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall visited Sierra Leone and formally announced the launch and partnership with the Jane Goodall’s Institute (JGI) to establish Roots & Shoots in the country. This event has made Roots & Shoots now active in Sierra Leone amongst other countries around the world.
The club is now in 13 secondary and primary schools whose teachers were drawn from 8 schools within and outside of Regent. Five secondary and 3 primary school teachers will have to serve as coordinators of the club in their respective schools and at the same time serve as ‘Ambassadors’ for Tacugama guiding students to take responsible actions towards environment/wildlife protection.
The trainer, Dr Tuckwood is a skilled educator from the UK who regularly presents and writes about best practice in education. She has been involved for over 40 years in teaching (primary, secondary and adults), curriculum development, examinations and occupational standard setting.
