OMEP-RDC: Over 50 nursery school teachers trained in scientific awareness

At least 50 teachers from the Kinshasa preschool received training on February 2–3, 2024, on early science education. This training was organized by the General Inspectorate of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education in collaboration with the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP)-DRC and the Agency for the Protection of Education. The training took place at the Cardinal Malula School Complex in the municipality of Limeté. In his remarks, Michel Otto, president of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP-DRC), explained that scientific awareness involves several other activities and sub-activities, notably language, sensory development, and the visual arts. “We started from an observation on the ground; we received many complaints about difficulties, particularly in reformulating topics. How to select topics and how to deliver instruction without overlooking the issue of teaching materials (…). To combine business with pleasure, we used a real classroom where two participants presented lessons on scientific awareness, after which we offered feedback and suggestions for improvement,” he said. Another facilitator of this training, Charles Frédéric, emphasized that scientific awakening is an initiative focused on science and technology. “It is fundamental for young children in the 21st century; according to the methodology, it is necessary to give ample space to children’s discovery and exploration, particularly through language and the child’s everyday environment,” he said. A participant in the training, Ms. Nyangi Alice, expressed satisfaction with the knowledge she gained about scientific early learning. “I am very happy to have participated in this training because before, I had difficulty choosing topics for scientific early learning and deciding what to teach the children. this training helped me a lot, and I understood that we must spark the child’s curiosity; now I have material to work with on scientific early learning and I understand the role of scientific early learning in children,” she noted. Several prominent figures, including school principals and inspectors, took part in this training, which concluded with the presentation of certificates of merit to the participants. Célestin Zeula and Mawete Paola