Project
Innovative educator: how Apio Sharon Ibedo empowers female students in Uganda
From lectures to life skills
Reflecting on my journey as an educator, my involvement in the BEAR II project marks a significant change. In contrast to my past teaching roles, which focused primarily on conventional lecturing and exam-oriented content delivery, BEAR II introduced me to dynamic and transformative educational methods.
Through the project's training initiatives, I shifted towards a learner-centric approach, prioritizing practical teaching methods and taking into account the diverse learning profiles of my students. This evolution prompted me to actively engage with individual student needs, offering personalized support and guidance, especially for those facing learning challenges.
The BEAR II specialized training, particularly in life skills and counseling, equipped me with the tools to embrace a holistic educational ethos. Beyond academic content, I also began considering the social and emotional well-being of my students, expanding my role to encompass mentorship and creating a nurturing learning environment. I established connections with local businesses to inspire learners, facilitate job placements, and to ensure that our training remained relevant within a dynamic job market.
Strengthening girls’ voices and academic integrity
In my daily work environment, I encountered significant challenges, including instances where students were pressured to offer inappropriate favors in exchange for grades. These troubling circumstances necessitated my immediate intervention to protect their well-being and uphold the integrity of the educational process.
Through training on gender and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, I was able to empower these girls to resist and report such cases, fostering academic integrity and equity. Despite resistance, I focused on inspiring girls to prioritize hard work and genuine achievement. This advocacy led to my promotion, allowing me to offer counseling and guidance. My efforts also led to a gender-focused representative on the school council to address gender biases effectively.
Moments that I felt profound accomplishment within the BEAR II project are not only marked by professional recognition but also by the individual impact on my students' lives. Inspiring young girls to stay committed to their education brings me immense joy and reinforces just how vital my role as an educator is.
Looking ahead: leadership
For the future, I aspire to assume a leadership role advocating for gender equality in fields traditionally dominated by male students, such as agricultural mechanization and innovation. My goal is to inspire and empower young women to pursue these courses with confidence, ensuring they receive the support needed to excel in their chosen fields.
The Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR) project is a flagship project dedicated to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Africa. 91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ been implementing this project in the continent since 2011, with financial support from the Government of the Republic of Korea.
