Introducing a volunteer who put a lot of effort into spreading the use of the "Guatematica" math teaching materials and providing guidance to teachers.
By TSUBONE Ikumi
In Guatemala
ICHIKAWA Akane
Place of Birth: Aichi Prefecture; Occupation: Elementary School Teacher
Term: June 2018 - June 2020
I have long had the dream of "working abroad," so I used my teaching license that I obtained at university to apply to be a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer. I was assigned to the city of Nebaj in Guatemala. I reached here after a 7-hour transit bus ride from the capital, through several valleys. My work involved the spread of the Guatematica math textbooks at local elementary schools, as well as teacher guidance. Guatematica is the country's first national math textbook, which Japan has contributed to through technical cooperation.
Normally instruction books are used to provide lesson procedures etc. for teachers to ensure lessons of a certain quality. However, I was assigned just after this instruction book was introduced and we did not have them at my school. So the first thing that I did was go to the staff of the Quiche Department Education Office and city hall to ask for financial assistance for the printing of instruction books. As a result, I was able to distribute instruction books for all of the teachers at 5 model schools in the city.
"Every day I faced difficulties, but I could overcome them thanks to the help and kindness of the local people"
After this, I began activities to help teachers to follow the instruction book to enable lessons using Guatematica. One of these activities was to go around to visit the model schools. I observed math lessons at each school and gave advice on how to carry out classes, solving issues that arose during classes together with the children and grasping stumbling blocks. I also took the part of teacher and conducted mock lessons for the teachers to watch. We also held workshops for teachers once a month and shared how to use the instruction book and various know-how so that there were no differences in class content.
Capital: Guatemala City
Guatemala
I received more and more consultations and questions about education and could feel the changes in each teacher. Eventually most teachers have been able to proceed with classes using Guatematica. I was so happy that I almost cried when someone said to me "I want to continue with this method. Thank you for teaching me." I was the first elementary school volunteer in this area, so there was a lot of confusion, but I felt a lot of support from their kindness. I hope to use this experience as a volunteer to continue to try new things in the future.
"Do you all understand?"
A mock lesson by Ms. Ichikawa. Teachers watch this to learn how to proceed with their lessons.
"If you write like this it is easy to understand!"
Telling teachers how to write on the board to make lessons better.
The Guatematica textbook (right) and children taking math lessons using Guatematica.
A few words from the JICA Guatemala Office
Guatemala experienced a civil war until about 30 years ago, and the area that includes the city of Nebaj is said to have suffered the greatest impact. Ms. Ichikawa was assigned to work here at the strong request of the city's education office, who wanted to "revitalize the region to overcome the tragedies of the past," and she was highly trusted by the local teachers that she met through her activities.
Project Formulation Advisor (Volunteer Program)*
MARUTA Takahiro
*A "Professional to Support Volunteers" who supports all of the activities of the volunteers. Also coordinate all volunteer activities such as formulating official requests of the recipient country through conducting surveys on their needs and background.
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