USAID Trains Parent Teacher Committees to Support Teacher Motivation and Literacy

Teachers at the school are responsible for teaching three or more classes with up to 60 students in each class, both in the morning and afternoon sessions. This demanding schedule often leaves teachers feeling exhausted and unable to provide the same quality of instruction in the afternoon as they do in the morning. To address this issue, the PTC at Mbogo Primary School has established a school garden where plantains and beans are cultivated. The school has also hired a cook to provide teachers with lunch at school each day. This initiative has had a positive impact on teachers, with one teacher, Gerald Ntabana, stating that it has become easier for him to resume afternoon teaching sessions on schedule and that he is able to teach with no exhaustion. The PTC at Mbogo Primary School was one of many across the country that received training from USAID on PTC roles and responsibilities, as well as community support for literacy, equity in education, and teacher motivation. The school was awarded a grant to support its project, which it used to extend the banana plantation and purchase a cow to provide teachers with tea with milk and fertilize the plantation. In addition to addressing the issue of teacher fatigue, the PTC at Mbogo Primary School has also formed a tontine fund to provide financial assistance to teachers. Teachers and parents contribute small amounts monthly, which can be borrowed with a low interest rate to cover unexpected emergencies. This initiative has helped teachers to focus on their teaching duties without worry, as stated by Gerald Ntabana. The PTC at Nkaka Primary School in Nyamagabe district has also implemented a similar initiative, where parents and teachers contribute a small fee at the beginning of each term. The amount collected is then awarded to outstanding teachers at the end of the term, providing them with recognition and motivation to continue their good work. This initiative is part of the USAID's Literacy, Language, and Learning (L3) Initiative, which aims to train over 1,000 PTCs to launch initiatives in support of teacher motivation, community support to literacy, and equity in education.