Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education & Care students and lecturer from Khomasdal Campus visited Rosewood Academy on UNESCO World Book Day
Fifty students from the School of Education’s Department of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) at Khomasdal Campus, led by English Language Education 3 module lecturer Ms. Jacolynn van Wyk, recently visited Rosewood Academy in Academia, Windhoek.
During their visit, the students introduced innovative reading resources they developed, including a “story sack” which featured a storybook, handcrafted story props made from recycled materials, fascinating facts about the story’s characters or settings, and an interactive activity designed for small group engagement.
In 2023, the ECEC Khomasdal Campus had received a generous book sponsorship from the U.S. Embassy in Namibia, and these sponsored books were utilised for this activity.
On UNESCO World Book Day, 23 April 2024, the students showcased their work at Rosewood Academy, where they read to junior primary learners and facilitated activities based on the story sacks.
The interaction was met with enthusiasm, with one young learner exclaiming, “I loved listening to the story and singing the song!” The University students were equally excited, with Elmarencia Beukes stating, “It was a heart-warming experience” and Getrud Naftal noted, “The enjoyment of the learners was evident throughout the session. They were actively participating in the activities, laughing and having fun, and eagerly sharing their thoughts and ideas about the story.”
Ms. Catherine Sissing, the Executive Director of Rosewood Academy, expressed her gratitude for the visit, highlighting the importance of reading promotion. She warmly invited the students for future engagements, stating, “Thank you to our UNAM students for leaving our Rowies with sparkling eyes and creative ideas sprouting from your story sacks, so thoughtfully made for the Namibian child. May your hands and your intentions be blessed with a true teaching spirit.”
This learning experience aims to bridge theory with practice and provides the university students with a practical insight into the school environment. Such initiatives continue to strengthen the collaboration between the university and local schools.
