Funded by the AKF-USAID RCC project, TRC introduced ECE to 60 more government and local body schools (43 girlsâ?? schools and 17 boy’s schools) in Karachi. These are located in the low-income areas of the following Towns: Korangi, Shah Faisal, Saddar, Liaquatabad, North Karachi and Malir.

ECE Workshops for Public Sector Heads: To begin with two concurrent 10-hour ECE orientation workshops for heads and supervisors were held on the 15th and 16th of September 2006. For most of the 60 participants this was their very first workshop. The workshop aimed to help them understand the need, philosophy and significance of ECE, to enhance their leadership skills and enable them to support the ECE teachers in their schools. Our practice has always been to get the heads and supervisors “on board” before training the teachers. Based on teachers’ feedback this is a useful strategy; they find that their heads are more supportive when they have received training first.

The heads appreciated the understanding they went away with about an active learning classroom; now they won’t be disconcerted when children are moving about and talking during class time! They learnt about leadership, how to support ECE teachers, became aware of their own skills, where their strengths are and the areas they need to work on and develop.  They enjoyed some of the poems we sang with them especially “channa kis ney boya.”

ECE Workshops for Public Sector Teachers: Following the workshop for heads, two concurrent workshops were held for teachers from September 18th – 28th. Over the ten days (50 hours) the teachers learnt all about active learning, setting up the learning environment, observation and assessment, and more … all that a beginning teacher needs to know. Using a hands-on approach, TRC walked them through the National ECE Curriculum, to enable them to begin implementation when they returned to their classrooms. The teachers were excited by their new learning and keen to go back and take the ECE class.