Dubai students voluntarily teach illiterate adults

Dubai At the end of last month, students at Dubai’s Little Flower English School launched an Adult Literacy programme (ALP) community initiative to provide free basic education to illiterate adults. The classes have been running on Saturday mornings since the launch. With increasing enquiries from school dropouts, the ALP team had already signed up 20 adult learners when Gulf News’ Education went to press.

“Educational institutions must not overlook the need to develop the humane qualities in their pupils,” says Abdullah Kutty, Principal of the school in Hor Al Anz. “We consider community service as important as any curricular or co-curricular activity.”

Gulf News’ Education chatted with Annie Mathew, Primary Supervisor at the school, who has also been heavily involved in the ALP programme.

What is the Adult Literacy programme (ALP)?

It is a programme launched by the pupils of Little Flower English School in Dubai. With the help of their teachers, they set out to teach the three R’s — Reading, Writing and Arithmetic — to the less fortunate among our brethren who could not do formal schooling for whatever reason. It is basically for all adults — our school support staff, parents and the general public. It is open to anyone who has a desire to learn. They are taught to read and write the English language as well as the basics of Mathematics.

How does the ALP work?

Each adult learner is assigned a pupil teacher or a ‘buddy’ following the principle of ‘each one, teach one’. The ‘buddy’ is responsible for the adult learner’s attainment and progress. (S)he periodically assesses the work done by his or her pupil and makes sure the adult learner remains focused on their task. We have adopted a curriculum framework suitable for Asians and the classes are held for two hours every Saturday.

How are the pupil teachers selected?

Many of our pupils volunteered to become teachers. We discussed with them the absolute dedication they would need to show, the will to persist and succeed and also the time factor. They were so passionate about this noble task that they decided to accept the challenge.

How can other adult learners join the ALP?

The programme is open to all who wish to empower themselves with the skills of reading, writing and arithmetic and our teachers, and pupils helped spread the word. To sign up, an adult has to come to our school at 9am on Saturday.

Their name will be registered and they will receive a free literacy kit. After which, a buddy will be assigned to them. The programme is absolutely free of charge. The only thing our adult learners have to spend is their time.

What plans do you have for the ALP?

Many people who are familiar with the basics in the English language but wish to improve on their speaking, reading and writing skills have approached us. We have plans to run classes for them in spoken English as well. We intend to have learning sessions on health issues, art of living workshops and free medical camps with the permission of concerned authorities. It saddened us to see that some of our adult learners did not have reading glasses even though they were in dire need of it.

How do you feel about response to the programme?

Tremendous pride! Because I see our students shoulder this great responsibility with a maturity beyond their age. I am equally proud of my team of dedicated teachers. Most of all, I am humbled to see the childlike enthusiasm of our adult learners. For many of them, this is probably their last and only chance at an education.