Voice from participants of KCCP(JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program)

Ms. NGABWE Charity
Assistant District Resource Centre Coordinator / Education/ Mufulira District Resource Centre

My impression I got on Lesson study during the training was that Lesson study is a means of helping teachers' pedagogical methods. It is a professional development which is embraced by every teacher in Japan and is part of the education system. It is a tool which assists teachers to reach a common understanding of learners thinking and determine a common goal. I was impressed to learn that each teacher is supposed to prepare a lesson and be observed once per term through lesson study in a Japanese education system.

Secondly, I learnt that lesson study was not viewed as just another program to be added to school programmes of professional development opportunities as it is viewed by some African countries. It is actually the foundation of school-based professional development, which treats teachers as professionals and builds their capacity for lifelong learning during their teaching careers.

Lesson study is actually used to integrate the variety of professional development activities, courses, conferences and workshops that teachers attend individually or in groups. I feel as an In-service provider, I will adopt this method to facilitate in-service programmes in my country.

For these reasons, lesson study was one of the major tools which were used throughout the training to analyze and improve lessons demonstrated in Japan. It led the participants to embrace the lessons as our own which led our lesson to be the best lesson presented at Ishima Elementary School.

Finally but not the least, I learnt that not all Sub-Saharan Africa countries are implementing lesson study as is the case for Zambia. Some participants explained that lesson study was not practiced at all while others were just on pilot stages. However, hints were given to enable them initiate this important programme which has been adopted by most countries from Japan.

When I go back home, I will share this experience with key stakeholders so that Lesson study is appreciated as is the case for Japanese teachers.