Tusome Special Needs Program Trainer of Trainers Manual

The program began with a training of trainers (TOT) initiative, which serves as a guide for training SNE trainers. The TOT manual outlines the necessary steps for training SNE trainers, who will in turn train special needs education teachers on the Tusome approach. The training of trainers is a three-day program that covers various topics, including the Tusome methodology, establishing norms, and the importance of early literacy success. The program emphasizes the need for active and willing participation, respect for each other's opinions, and limited movement in the training hall. Participants are also expected to register using a unique school code provided by the Tusome Registration process. The Tusome Registration process involves sending an SMS with the words "START TUSOMETOT" to the number 22340. Participants will receive a reply SMS with a question, which they must answer via SMS. This process must be completed once by each participant, and those without an M-pesa registered phone number must nominate and register another person's number. The main aim of Tusome is to improve literacy outcomes among children in class 1 and 2. The program emphasizes the importance of early literacy success, as children who learn to read and write at an early age will often become successful in learning. A graph displayed during the training shows two groups of pupils and their reading achievement over time, illustrating the "Matthew Effect." This effect suggests that education paths are established early, and learners who start on a low or unsuccessful path continue on this path unless instruction is specifically designed to help them. To change the learner's experience, there are three ways to address the gap between good readers and poor readers. These include providing good quality instruction, changing instruction to suit the needs of learners, and addressing the gap early on to prevent it from widening. The Tusome Special Needs Program aims to address these challenges and improve literacy outcomes among children in class 1 and 2. The training of trainers also covers the importance of establishing norms, including active and willing participation, respect for each other's opinions, and limited movement in the training hall. Participants are expected to work in pairs and model lessons used in the classrooms, providing constructive feedback to each other. The Tusome Special Needs Program emphasizes the need for early literacy success and provides a framework for training SNE trainers to address the challenges faced by children in class 1 and 2. The program aims to improve literacy outcomes and provide good quality instruction to learners who need it most.