According to Gudeta Bullo, ADAA project officer, the skill training for facilitators/teachers was the key in building their capacities. His opinion is that teachers completely changed their approaches. There was marked difference between schools that have trained teachers and those who didn’t get the chance. The trained teachers prepared and used learning media, increased student participation and contributed towards improved academic performance. He further stated that non-project schools asked for training support and also used project schools as model school for experiences sharing. The following testimony of Tarekegn Tadesse, principal of Danmera Primary school in SNNPR gives a comprehensive observation on the benefits of the skill training. The project school teachers excelled in their teaching methods, classroom management, student participation etc. compared to other school teachers. The teachers trained in active learning implemented what they learned and also are trainers and advisor to teachers in other government schools. Student handling and participation improved. Participation of children grew; classroom arrangement and management became suitable for learning. Learning/teaching materials prepared and used and students also prepare. Our school is the best model in the preparation of and utilization learning/ teaching aids including students. Teacher from other government schools come for experiences sharing in this regard. The benefits that were obtained as the result of teachers skill training is visible in explanation that students gave during FGDs with the evaluation team. Students of Chewsar Primary school in Este woreda expressed that teachers changed their methods of teaching compared to previous experiences. In citing examples of the changes that they observed they stated that teachers made them participate in class activities, involving them in asking questions and also answering questions and doing group activities. Students also witnessed that teachers came with story books and other learning materials. The above opinion of children in Chewsar Primary school on the changes in the delivery of education by trained teachers was also confirmed by the PTA members of the same school. Misganaw Worku, a member of the school’s PTA explaining the change in the approach of teachers after training said “The quality of education has improved because of teacher training. Teachers started giving assignment and also inviting parents after they got training to discuss on the education of our children”. The increase in the skills of the teachers after they were given training and the change that the trained teachers introduced in their approach which is based on active learning has been observed by participants of this evaluation ranging from children to WEO heads. 26
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