The first year of training at the ADPP Teacher Training Schools is called The International year of the Teacher, and includes a 3 to 4-month study trip in Angola. Students travel by bus, camping along the way, meeting people from all walks of life. They get to know what matters to people, families, communities and begin to form notions of the role a good teacher can play. Team 2018 at the Teacher Training Schools started their education in February 2018. The 1100 students and 125 teachers will start their "Learning to Travel, Travelling to Learn" period at the end of May. This is the 6th team of students to undertake the period. 

In April, the 125 teachers of 1st Year from all ADPP teacher training schools gathered at five of the schools, to discuss, prepare and carry out one of the key elements of the study trip. “Learning to travel and travelling to learn” encapsulates the idea behind the trip, and the idea behind the teachers’ meeting was to ensure the best possible preparation for it.

ADPP Teacher Training Schools Kunene, Huambo, Kuando Kubango, Zaire, and Malange played host to Londuimbali, Kwanza Sul, Lunda Sul, Bié, Uige, Kwanza Norte, Luanda, Benguela, Cabinda and Caxito. After introductions and explanations, the teachers worked in small groups to discuss their chosen theme for investigation. They undertook background research, decided questions to ask, and began thinking about what they wished to achieve in the field. All of the themes were selected to give an insight into rural life, and the variety of conditions, situations and problems faced by the population. Teachers from Cabinda and Caxito, who met at TTS Zaire, encountered young children selling wares at crossroads, high levels of pregnancy among girls living near an army barracks, and young girls marrying transitory Brasilian roadworkers to help support the family.

Replicating both the 1st Year program activity, as well as the system of core groups and bus groups, albeit scaled down, the teachers worked together during three days of investigation in the field. They stayed with rural families in order to appreciate the wealth of information available first hand, and to gain a fuller understanding of the economic and social set up. They conducted interviews, filmed and photographed, and even got involved in the daily work of their hosts.

The final two days were devoted to preparing and presenting the results of the investigations, discussing lessons learned and proposing recommendations. There was no doubt that all participants learned a great deal over the six day course. They became acquainted with the realities of life in the villages and among the people under investigation, and perceived for themselves what their own students would come to experience. Above all, they recognized the importance of rigor at all stages, from preparation to implementation to presentation. 

Read more here about one of the initial study trips which included travel throughout Southern Africa: Pan-Africanism in Teacher Training

 

ADPP Teacher Training Schools is called The International year of the Teacher, and includes a 3 to 4-month study trip in Angola and Southern Africa