Dear Counselor, what type of training and support does SchoolNet Uganda give to schools participating in the World Starts With Me (WSWM)?
Submitted by Counselor at SchoolNet on 24th May, 2009
In order to ensure that WSWM is effectively implemented in schools, SchoolNet Uganda conducts a two-day sensitization workshop for the Head teachers of all the new schools in the program. After the Head teachers’ workshop, each of the Head teachers then selects two teachers (preferably a male and a female) to undergo an intensive five day training.
The participating schools are provided with the WSWM curriculum both in print and on CD and the fact sheets which contain very detailed factual information on the topics in the curriculum for additional reading.
SchoolNet Uganda then works with the school to launch the program at the school with the purpose of sensitizing other teachers and the students about the WSWM program so that they know what it is and what it is not and the benefits of participating in the program.
SchoolNet Uganda also provides on-going support to both the WSWM teachers and the WSWM students.
Once a term, the school is visited by the Teacher Support Specialists (TSS) to help answer questions the WSWM teachers may have and to share best practice in the delivery of the WSWM curriculum. The school is also visited by the Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) consultants to answer some of the SRH questions the students may have and to provide personalized counselling to students.
SchoolNet Uganda also provides online counselling to students via a special WSWM website [http://schoolnetuganda.sc.ug/wswmonlinesupport/] where students can post SRH challenges affecting them or their peers and a counselor will respond to them. Answers to general questions are posted on the website and answers to very personal questions are sent via personalized emails. You are advised to read through the questions and answers already on the website so that you don’t ask a question similar to those already answered.
SchoolNet Uganda also conducts 5-day trainings for Student Peer Educators. One student is invited for training from each of the WSWM participating schools. The Student Peer Educators help the WSWM teachers in the implementation of the WSWM program at the schools.