Principal of the Year launches primary-level study tour
KANDI-LEE CROOKSSMITH, LASCO/ Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Principal of the Year 2015-2016, has launched her Primary Level Educational Study Tour Programme, dubbed The LMW Study Tour for students at the grade-four level.
For Crooks-Smith, the aim is to develop life, learning and literacy skills in students at the primary school level. This, she said will be achieved through school exchange visits and workshops along with sharing information through virtual presentations, islandwide tours and participation in the Microsoft Global Enterprise Challenge.
The LMW Study Tour is named in honour of Lorna Mae Welsh, retired territorial education officer and Quality Education Circle 11 convener, whose passion was to see her group of schools working well together.
With The LMW Study Tour, Crooks-Smith hopes to positively impact not only the particpating students, but her fellow educators.
ASPIRATION
“My hope is that the programme will transform the students into junior broadcasters, engineers, producers, bloggers and other social-media writers,” she said.
“One of my main aims is to change the preconceived notion of what a classroom is and by example expand the possibilities of learning for our children. There is no doubt that the way our children are learning is changing, and as educators, it is our responsibility to also adapt to ensure our children receive the best education possible,” Crooks-Smith added.
The target group in the first phase will be students at the grade-four level in two public and two private schools from four different locations – Allman Town, Liguanea, Craighton and Hope Road. Also, a study tour and project-based approach will be used to execute the social studies, science and language arts curricula for these students.
The cultural impact of the programme, however, may be even greater in its ability to create a safe space for students in the public and private-school settings to interface with and experience what it is like to learn in each other’s environs.
It will also guide the students’ appreciation of the geographical, historical and economic value of various communities while examining the numerous social issues affecting them and other residents. Participants will also be given the opportunity to have their voices heard as they engage in the KiDz HuB Media Network’s Literacy Skills Training Programme.
The LMW Study Tour is sponsored by LASCO and Nationwide Express Tours, and is fully endorsed by the Ministry of Education Youth and Information.