SIMBIBA ALEC: My name is Simbiba Alec, the head teacher for St. Edmund's Primary School. Each time we have had
the three approaches that we discuss. And then the teachers are made to sit together and collaboratively plan a
lesson using these approaches. After planning, the teachers are expected to demonstrate in their classrooms in
pairs. Of course, one teacher demonstrates while the other is there to observe as a peer observer.
Now maybe we explain on the way peer observing is taking place. Peer observation is done after the teachers have
searched to plan together. What they plan is the method that should be applied in teaching in the classroom.
After they have planned the method, then one teacher is going to demonstrate in one classroom, while the other
one is going to observe. After that observation, the teachers who again sit to review the lesson improve on
weaknesses where there are some weaknesses. And then the way forward is made just after that sitting.
So, it has helped the school in some way. Since the introduction of this ZEST programme, we saw that when it
comes to peer observation, it is unlike the time when all the teachers could be present in one classroom
observing one teacher. Peer observation allows the teachers to be working in their classrooms without leaving
their learners on their own. So, there is enough time for teachers to be in contact with the learners.
I can admit to say, since the introduction of this peer observation, teachers have been preparing themselves for
lessons each time. Before they go for teaching, they prepare themselves. This has actually been improved by my
own observation. I see teachers coming to the office to ask me to go and observe with them-- something that was
not taking place before.
So, the main aim of this peer observation. We are doing it because what we are looking at is learner's
achievement. We would like to see if the learners get the effective lessons by these teachers. So, when we have
a peer observation, we are sure to say the teachers have the checks and balances at all times.
And every teacher is sending friend to say, your friend should not be disappointed because they are working in
pairs. So, everyone works to achieve the targets that we have put as a school. It is something that has helped
us so much, especially that the teachers prepare themselves before they go inside the classroom.
When we come to the learner’s achievement, the way the learners have been attending lessons, I can say it is
something that is a trick on the other hand, because when the teachers are not available and teachers do not
prepare themselves, you expect also learners to have the motivation, some sort of-- in psychology, sometimes,
they call it a learned helplessness. When the teacher is not there to attend to the learners effectively, you
don't expect the learners to be happy in coming in for lessons.
But once the teachers prepare themselves, they gather the teaching aides that they are supposed to use in the
classroom, the lessons become so motivating. The lessons become so exciting to the learners. And you find that
learners also do not stay away from classes. The attendance of learners during lessons is always good.
We had our first peer observation in January 2020 when we just opened the schools. Unfortunately, we closed in
March. So, during the second term, we just had the Grade 7 and the Grade 9s. When we closed in March, we didn't
even have end-of-term tests. We just had the monthly tests for January, and in March and February. We didn't
have for March.
But according to the monthly tests that we had for January and February, we saw that the attendance of learners
during these tests was 90%. This peer observation has brought good results to the school. Before then, it was
very difficult because you could see somehow maybe some learners could stay away from lessons. But this time
around, we see learners are being motivated somehow because of the presence of teachers and the preparedness of
the teachers.