“Over the next 20 years, 100 million children will become young adults across Africa. That is more than the rest of the world combined. Each one of those young Africans dreams a great dream for themselves — a dream of achieving success and of making a positive contribution to the world,” says Chinezi Chijioke, CEO of Pioneer Academies.
Good education, Chijioke continues, is a vital part of a child’s early development and provides a solid platform for future growth. Today’s youth however will encounter a future that will look and work differently than the world today, and one that will continue to evolve during their lifetime.
Schools nowadays are therefore required to learn faster than ever before in order to deal effectively with the growing pressures of a rapidly changing environment. Many schools, however, look much the same today as they did a generation ago, and too many teachers are not developing the teaching methods and practices required to meet the diverse needs of 21st-century learners.
How then do we as South Africans prepare our students for success in that uncertain future? More importantly, how do we prepare our students to create and lead that future, not simply work in it?
Pioneer Academies, a growing network of schools with campuses in Ormonde, Midrand, Nairobi and Jackal Creek in 2017, are trailblazers in team-teaching, with at least 3 teachers per classroom. Having two to three minds facilitate a classroom community allows students to connect with different personalities. Team-teaching also allows more opportunities for small group and one-to-one learning, and stronger modeling during lessons. The co-planning process encourages teachers to bounce ideas off each other in order to deliver the strongest, most creative lessons.
To develop students for success in life tomorrow and not just on tests today, Pioneer Academy schools integrate cognitive, social and emotional development.
To experience this innovative approach to education, visit the Pioneer Academy Midrand Open Day on Saturday the 23rd of July 2016 at Matuka Close, Halfway Gardens, Midrand. Tour the campus, meet the Pioneer team, and enjoy fun activities for children in grades 000 all the way through to grade 4.
