I am part of the pioneer scholars who have been in the academy since 2021. Initially, I was admitted in the ALiVE Academy as one of the national technical team members who were involved in developing frameworks for assessment of life skills and values in East Africa at household level. This was an intensive 9 months’ work to develop contextualized tools to assess problem solving, self-awareness, collaboration and respect, to assess adolescents aged 13-17 years old. This was preceded by more training to master the 21st century, curriculum integration and nurturing of the same.
The modality of session in the Academy comprised both virtual and on-site session which really got our hands dirty to make sure we go the tools right, pre-tested severally, piloted and validated.
For the years in the Academy, I have gained immense experience and insights. I was originally a project management practitioner with a law background, now, after being baptized into this unique education intervention and the Academy, I have been inspired to enrol for a post-graduate course in Education.
I cherish the richness of diversity of participants whose backgrounds offer a lot of learning and experience sharing. I also like the program approach. Despite being so tight, the schedule has taught me the meaning of agility and endurance.
The system integration and engagement has sharpened by advocacy skills, while hands-on activities have taught me more than I could ever anticipate. Indeed, I appreciate that
‘The best way to have it done, is to do it yourself.’ I have widened by scope of knowledge, and skills especially in the novel areas of assessments of social emotional learning competencies alongside curriculum integration styles.
The cross-border exposure and cultural experiences through various learning visits across East Africa, have also opened my lens wider to better understand contextual diversity.
@SamsonSitta07
