The MasterCard Foundation/AIMS Teacher Training Program (TTP) improves teaching and knowledge of mathematics in secondary schools in Cameroon. The strategy is to train all the Math lecturers at the Higher Teacher Training Colleges (HTTCs) in the nation so that they adopt the specialized TTP curriculum and incorporate the TTP methodology into their instruction. HTTC lecturers began implementing the TTP methodology during the 2016-17 academic year, thus exposing more than 400 new math teachers to improved teaching practices.
Student Teachers in Bambilli
The program is ongoing, TTP provides follow-up and additional support and it organized end-of-year workshops for the graduating mathematics student teachers at 3 HTTCs: Maroua (May 19 to 22), Bambili (July 12 to 14), and Yaoundé (July 18 to 20). The goal to provide additional knowledge, skills, and attitudes to complement what they learned at HTTC. When they are posted to schools across the nation, they will be agents of change bringing a new philosophy of teaching mathematics in local schools.
The numbers of participating Pre-Service Teachers were as follows:
|
HTTC |
Females |
Males |
Total |
|
Maroua |
10 |
92 |
102 |
|
Bamenda |
29 |
171 |
204 |
|
Yaounde |
4 |
70 |
74 |
|
Total |
43 |
333 |
376 |
The Pre-Service Teachers were trained on the following subjects:
1. Reading and exploitation of the mathematics syllabus;
2. Different pedagogic documents;
3. Qualities of a good mathematics lesson;
4. Lesson preparation and Delivery;
5. Mathematical thinking and Problem Solving;
6. Conception and Implementation of activities in the maths lesson;
7. Gender responsive pedagogy;
8. Management of maths as a subject.
9. Community of Teachers
10. Different school councils
Student teachers in Yaounde
The workshop was designed to provide an overview of the goals of the TTP, to prepare teachers, to reinforce the student teacher training in the HTTCs with knowledge, skills and the attitudes they need to be compelling math teachers, and to prepare them to provided engaging, interactive and gender sensitive lessons. Trainees polled confirmed they learned how to use active participation methods allowing them to share and internalize knowledge better.
