Liberating a Library
on Charlotte in Ghana (Ghana), 18/Feb/2010 23:37, 34 days ago
Sometime before Christmas I had visited a nearby school and learned that it used to have a library. This was before the room was taken back into use as a classroom due to increased enrolment when girls were encouraged into school. Anyway, I enquired as to what had happened to the books. The Headteacher proudly showed me boxes of beautiful books locked away in her cupboard. I can only imagine how long they had been there, but enrolment rocketed several years ago.I beseeched her to get these back into the children's hands and there and then we spent more than an hour sorting the books. I asked if we could deliver some to the classes but she said she would need to talk to the staff about what they wanted to do.From time to time I would check to see if there had been any progress but sadly the library was still held captive. At last I could stand it no longer and arranged a date with the Headteacher to talk to the staff and distribute the books. I asked her to ask the children to collect some boxes to put the books in and I arrived armed with strong tape and marker pens.We started to repair and strengthen some of the boxes. Here is the Headteacher at work.The children had collected loads of boxes and made a huge pile at the office door. This caused much excitement since we couldn't get out of the office and nobody could get past.We selected the best looking boxes and then asked the children to share the rest out among the teachers as useful sources of cardboard for making TLMs (Teaching and Learning Materials to you and me)The Primary 6 students helped us to sort and group the books. Many other pupils kept watch through the window.They were enthusiastic in their task.I helped with the box strengthening ....And the sorting....And pretty soon we were all ready for the teachers to come and join us for the big share out!Madam Paulina, the Headteacher had by now found a big book and contented herself with reading this aloud to us while we worked.The teachers duly arrived and I talked to them about the statistic which says only 11% of P6 children (top Primary) can read with understanding in our area of Ghana. I explained how crucial it is that students have access to books and learn to treat them properly. We discussed how the staff would model this for the children over the next couple of weeks and then invite small groups to browse books calmly together. Many of the books were in brand new sets and were ideal for guided reading techniques, so I have promised to go back and give a demo of how to run a guided reading group.Lists were made of the books as they were put into the boxes. I would like to say that the staff looked excited about the process but I might be stretching the point.So, job done.....library liberated!Hopefully going to be thoroughly enjoyed by the children and improve the reading standards in this school.I spotted these lovely ladies as I left the school and asked if I could take their picture. I am still amazed at how effortlessly women manage their babies and balancing things on their heads.