The Makindye Division coordinating centre tutor Ms Allen Abenaitwe, has called on schools to embrace play based learning approaches in order to enhance children’s education at an early age.
“This right play is a very good programme…..You know in this world, we are living with a lot of challenges, teachers have challenges, children have challenges, and parents have challenges” she said.
She added, “But once you move out of the classroom and start playing like what we have really observed here, your mind opens, it cannot remain the same. Your psychosocial well-being also gets enhanced. I came when I was not feeling well, but when these children were here playing, it was as if I am not sick, I was laughing”.
Ms Abenaitwe made the remarks while addressing pupils and teachers during the commemoration of the International Day of Play, themed, “Protect Play, Protect Childhood” at Kansanga Primary School playgrounds, in Makindye division on Tuesday.
“We need to implement this Right to Play project, it is needed because it is one of the children’s rights, he or she as a child has a right to play regardless of their abilities, background, financial status, this child has a right to play” she said.
Ms Abenaitwe noted that a number of school teachers in the division have been trained on how to integrate play-away activities in their day-to-day activities, to enhance children’s learning on a number of topics.
“Teachers, if you want these children to understand, you must use play way methodologies, and I’m happy that now we have experts who can train us, this program has been there and it will remain there, what we need is just to embrace it”.
The celebrations organised by Right To Play Uganda in collaboration with Third Millennium Foundation (Stiftung Drittes Millennium) under the Tusobola- Wamu project, saw children participate in a number of activities including games, performances, art activities, poetry, and a number of other creative expressions.
In a speech delivered by the Right To Play thematic Project Officer Ms Jane Alexandra Tagita, Country Director Hope Masika, said the Tuesday activities marked the beginning of an exciting journey aimed at improving learning outcomes and strengthening the social-emotional wellbeing of children through play-based learning approaches.
“The recognition of the International Day of Play by the United Nations reminds us that play is not merely a recreational activity. Play is a right of every child and a powerful tool for learning, creativity, problem-solving, social interaction, and emotional development” she said.
She added, “Through play, children gain confidence, build friendships, learn teamwork, and develop skills that prepare them for life”.
Ms Tagita said the activities demonstrate that learning can be enjoyable, meaningful, and engaging. “They also provide opportunities to raise awareness about child protection, environmental stewardship, and children’s rights in ways that children can understand and embrace” she said.
Ms Tagita urged parents and guardians to continue creating opportunities for children to play, learn, and express themselves.
“Your support is essential in nurturing confident, healthy, and resilient children. To the teachers, thank you for your dedication and for embracing innovative approaches that place children at the center of learning” she said.
The Headmistress Kansanga Primary School, Ms Jalia Nakayiza said Play Based Learning has helped to simply subjects like mathematics to ensure children enjoy the concepts that are taught in class in a playful way.
“As a school we are so grateful and as teachers I also encourage you that this is the way to go, our children when you teach them using the chalk and the chalk, little is conserved. But when you use play, these children can always rehearse these activities because they are enjoyful and they are purposeful to their lives” she said.
Ms Nakayiza noted that the Play based learning also enables the children to exercise their bodies, since they aren’t seated in one place from morning to evening.
“It is very important that we embrace play-based learning, I want to see when I come to supervise you that the children are not seated on their desks but they are in the classroom or outside the classroom when learning is taking place” she said.
check out the pictorial from the Day’s activities below
