Twelve people involved in education in Africa participating in the “Pedagogical Improvement Course for Elementary Math and Sciences in Africa” at Okayama University paid a courtesy call to President Kiyoshi Morita on July 11.
This is one of the regional courses sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with participation by elementary school teachers and ministry of education members from eight African countries, including Ethiopia and Ghana. The participants will receive guidance from Okayama University instructors, making improvements to the science / math lesson plans they created before coming to Japan and actually teaching lessons at affiliated elementary schools of the university.
The initial ceremony for the course held on July 9 was attended by 25 officials, including Dr. Masaru Kaga, Dean of the Graduate School of Education, Dr. Masahiro Taguchi, Vice-Director of the International Center, and Takeo Ishikawa, Head of the Chugoku JICA Training Program Section. Dr. Taguchi stated in his address that "elementary education is vital for both the children and the future of each country. It is our hope that you will put to use this training among numerous schools in your own countries."
Although the school attendance rate has improved in Africa, issues remain with raising the quality of education, hence the JICA has implemented this course.