We all remember teachers who inspired us in our learning journey. Whether it's a helping hand on a tricky subject or challenging us to push ourselves, teachers play a huge role in the lives of their students, nurturing them with the knowledge and skills to thrive.
It’s a big responsibility, one that Ms Daovy from Laos is proud to have taken on, having been a teacher over the last nine years. As a pre-primary teacher in the Saravanh province, she has the crucial task of helping young children aged four to five prepare for primary education and unlocking their potential.
The early years of childhood, especially the crucial pre-primary education years that fall in the middle of this stage, can profoundly impact and shape a child’s future. In safe and enriching environments, these young minds can develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning and result in bright futures, which is exactly what Ms Daovy strives to do.
By engaging her students in various activities that combine play and learning, Ms Daovy is helping the next generation develop the necessary skills across language, social and emotional, and logic and problem-solving so they can thrive and grow.
Collaborating for better outcomes
To support Ms Daovy and teachers like her, the Ministry of Education and Sports and UNICEF are working together under the “Improving Access to and Quality of Learning” initiative to expand access to quality early childhood education for young children, particularly those living in remote and rural areas.
As part of the initiative in 2020, a new pre-primary teacher guidebook was revised, and teachers in the Saravanh province were taken through it in December 2022 and January 2023 to learn improved and effective ways of teaching.
'This was my first time attending such a training and I learned a lot about new activities based on the new pre-primary teacher guidebook,” reflected Ms Daovy. “I also learned how to support children with disabilities who may have special learning needs, such as engaging them in reading exercises using picture books.”
Alongside the other teachers, Ms Daovy enjoyed and actively participated in the training which taught them to plan lessons more effectively, promoting inclusive education and learning environments, and much more.
"I really feel that this training will improve my daily teaching and activities in my pre-primary class."
Celebrating teachers everywhere
27 October marks World Teachers’ Day in Australia, a day to celebrate the tremendous and positive impact teachers like Ms Daovy have on children around the world. Why not celebrate the special teacher in your life with a gift that will help others?
A UNICEF Inspired Gift is the perfect way to say thank you to someone who taught you or is currently nurturing the next generation of young minds.
Here’s how it works
- Purchase '1,000 pencils' – a simple yet vital tool for learning, giving children the chance to put their thoughts and ideas on paper.
- We’ll send a personalised card to your teacher telling them about the life-changing impact they're making.
- Real pencils will be dispatched from a UNICEF warehouse by car, boat or foot to wherever they're most needed.
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