Resources
The starting point for our Bush Schools is the preparatory or Learning to Read level. This is an integrated program including literacy, vocabulary acquisition, writing skills, numeracy, health and personal development, physical education, and so much more. As with all of our resources, Biblical worldview and Christian values are actively taught throughout the whole curriculum.
The material is written so that the workbook – known as a PACE (Packet of Accelerated Christian Education) – is the teacher. Students learn from the earliest days, to score their own work using Score Keys. This not only removes a large part of the teachers’ responsibility in marking the student’s work, it allows the student to assess their own work, and learn from their mistakes.
This methodology is used for students from Year 1-12 and allows the students to make progress at their own rate of learning.
The Teachers’ Manual gives step-by-step instructions for the teacher, so all they need to do is have everything ready for the day and then follow the Manual. All resources are pre-prepared for the teacher and are included in the School in a Box.
All resources have Biblical worldview and Christian values embedded. As the child learns to read, they learn about Jesus! Comic strips throughout the curriculum teach the children the character traits of Jesus.
Children work at their level of ability. The whole curriculum is structured around individualised mastery learning. Children who are quick learners can move ahead, while those who take more time can progress at a slower rate. It is almost impossible to find professional teachers in these countries, especially those who are willing and able to work in a village setting, so this Curriculum is ideal for these villages because we do not need a professional teacher to facilitate the classroom.
Program
The program teaches the children to read and write in English using a Learning to Read Program. This is initially a 36-week program that incorporates English as a Second Language Program and is integrated with a Learning to Read Program. It has been specifically modified to meet the needs of remote villages that have no electricity.
Once the children have completed the 36-week program, there is a review program, which consolidates the learning. This is a 3-week program, which then leads into the further education of the children using an individualized program. Our vision is for the students to remain in the village school until Year 6, under the supervision of a local teacher.
When the children have completed Year 6, sponsors will be sought for individual students, and places at already existing schools will be found. Sponsors will pay the school fees, travel costs and boarding fees for these students. This method will continue from Year 7 to University. We can then take as a child from Preparatory to PhD!
How we do it
We pray that God will show us where He wants us to move.
We pray that God will bring sponsors for each project, whether they be entrepreneurs, businesses, churches, schools or individuals.
We talk with the village elders and discuss how they will support the school and what we will provide.
We assess the ‘teachers’ from the village – where possible we want the village to run the school – we need at least 2, but preferably 3 people trained to use the program.
We provide training for the ‘teachers,’ where possible, at an already established school. If this is not possible, we customize arrangements to suit the circumstances. The training takes 4-10 weeks depending on the individual ‘teachers.
The School in a box arrives during this time, so that the teachers are familiar with the resources and can ask for help if needed.
The trained teachers go and set up the school. School begin