Schools are not merely places where students acclimatize themselves to a learning environment and equip themselves with academic knowledge. Rather, they are also platforms where they grasp a wide range of skills, understand their surroundings and the external world; develop the skills to adapt and navigate with the ever changing world confidently, build their cognitive and character fortitudes aside from academic knowledge.
In this regard, concurrent to the usual classroom learning setups, designing mechanisms that engage students in practical works is of greater importance. Especially, in this dynamic world where things are changing constantly, being a well-rounded person and having a diverse set of all knowledge and skills is of critical importance to increase their employment probability, be competitive, fit in the job market and to let them have a successful life.
In view of this, the Addis Ababa Education Bureau revealed a plan to make schools workshops where practical works are given side by side to academic learning.
Bureau Head Zelalem Mulatu (PhD) told ENA that emphasis has been given to make schools in Addis Ababa workshops where students gain practical knowledge and skills on education which they have learned theoretically.
Activities are ongoing to help students understand their environment, especially to learn about the fruits and vegetables they eat, and to grow them in the school garden, and care for them.
He also mentioned that through agriculture education that is provided by high school students for work are carried out to upgrade their knowledge and skills and advance the growth of the sector. Schools are also implementing action-oriented agriculture education and this will continue in a more strengthened manner.
According to the Head, some schools that are operating in the capital and become successful in urban agriculture, have started supplying produce to the community. Not only that; but due attention has also been provided to let students scale up the experiences they gained at school to their homes and surroundings.
What is more, a system is designed in a way that urban agriculture supplies food resources for the school feeding program and the surrounding community grows vegetables in schools’ gardens. Equally, platforms that allow model schools in urban agriculture to share good practices and expand their experiences have been arranged.
Dejazmach Wondirad Preparatory School is also carrying out various activities in urban agriculture and growing vegetables and fattening oxen.
As School’s Principal Kassu Tumssa told ENA, the urban agricultural education that is being conducted in the school is part of the new curriculum that supports the theoretical lessons that students learned in the classrooms in practice.
According to him, in order to make students well equipped citizens in their performance, in addition to the agriculture lesson they are taught theoretically, they will practically grasp the required knowledge and skills through urban agriculture that is carried out at the school.
He said that the school, apart from cultivating gardens in seven areas of the school premises, has started fattening cattle with seven oxen. The urban agriculture program is also benefiting the school community, the surrounding people and students as well, Kassu indicated.
In similar manner, Public Relations and Communications Directorate Director at the Addis Ababa Education Bureau Abebe Chernet also told The Ethiopian Herald that the Bureau is working along with pertinent stakeholders to provide students with hands-on practices through extracurricular clubs.
“Exercising practical teaching is underway at all schools in Addis Ababa. The program is believed to enhance the skills and knowledge of the students.” he remarked.
According to him, the Addis Ababa Education Bureau is committed to support schools that are engaged in practical experiences side by side with theoretical learning. The Bureau engages students with extracurricular activity and it is a great way to enrich students’ classroom learning with practical experiences and skills. Realizing the program creates opportunity for students to gain lessons and discover the extracurricular options available that fit them.
Dej.Wondirad Primary School Principal Solomon Kibe on his part said that the school is growing various types of vegetables in its urban agriculture and is fattening oxen.
As to him, over six thousand students are attending their education in the school.
“The school is now engaged in providing practical lessons to its students through applying urban agriculture; and there are over one thousand two hundred hens, forty milk cows and seven beehives. Likewise, in its piece of land, a variety of vegetables are growing and contributing its share in stabilizing the supply demand in the market,” he added.
According to him, the school is also engaged in afforestation activity at a land mass of 1500 hectare and working on producing seedlings that could serve in beautifying the city.
“The school community and families of the students are also participating in the activity; we have also integrated the activity with the school feeding program and students who face malnutrition will be provided with food items that are produced at school.”
Pointing out students’ happiness to take part in the program, the Principal said that they are getting hands-on training, managing practical works and making money. They are also developing the culture of conserving their surroundings and the environment.
“A billion birr revolving capital is in the program and we sure we will make great strides adding more engagements that could create opportunities for students to get lessons here practically, “he concluded.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER 2023
