Five educators from several countries in Africa, including Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda, started a training course at Okayama University, which will run from January 13 through March 5. During the training which is one of the activities conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s Training And Dialogue Program, university faculty members will provide trainees with instruction on how to better teach elementary math and science and evaluate the academic abilities of students.

In Africa, school attendance rates are increasing, however, improving the quality of education has become an issue. The objective of the training is for participants to learn how to create effective teachings plans, conduct academic evaluations and to improve their skills at teaching classes through various activities including examining and implementing a teaching plan created before the trainees arrived in Japan.

Twelve people, including Shigenobu Takatsuka, Dean of the Graduate School of Education; Masahiro Taguchi, Vice Director of the Center For Global Partnerships and Education; and Mr. Kimio Fukazawa, a member of the Training Program Division of the JICA Chugoku International Center, attended the opening ceremony, which was held in the Education Faculty Building. In his greeting, Vice Director Taguchi noted, “it is hoped that this training will be meaningful in that it will lead to higher quality education in each of your countries.” On the same day, the trainees paid a courtesy call to President Kiyoshi Morita. As representative of the trainees, Ms. Joan Talibawo of Uganda spoke of her enthusiasm and was received encouraging words from President Morita.