Status of SfL Level 2

1. Status of SfL Level 2 Presentation by: Alhaj H. A. Ziblim and Karimu A. Mohammed

2. Background • The idea of SfL level 2 was first conceived at a replication workshop organized by SfL in January 2007. • At the workshop participants saw the need to examine the possibility of developing an Expanded Complementary Education Programme(ECEP) to address certain challenges faced by some SfL graduates. • This was as a result of lessons learned from previous SfL activities where graduates could not integrate into the formal school due to “over age”.

3. Background cont. • Also as a result of unavailability of primary schools within a radius of 5 kilometers away from the target community. • The idea of level 2 was to ensure that the affected children were prepared adequately to join JHS 1, that is, shortening the cost of basic education for them.

4. Structure and content of Level 2 • Instead of the normal cycle of 9 months literacy, SfL will have a two cycle of 9 months mother tongue literacy where the first 3 months would be used to consolidate the literacy skills gained in the previous cycle.

5. Target group • SfL learners who could not integrate into the formal system. • Sflers in areas where there are few or no primary schools so that the children could be prepared more adequately to join JHS 1, shortening the cost of basic education. • children who dropped out from the formal school at primary or JHS levels.

6. Level 2 facilitators • SfL level 2 facilitators will be holders of Senior High School certificates with grades that would qualify them as pupil teachers by GES standards.

7. Structure and content cont. • The rest of the cycle would be used to introduce learners to English and additional livelihood skills that will enable them to be more functionally literate to serve their communities.

8. Level two curriculum • Emphasis will be on local language literacy, Numeracy skills development, Creative Arts, Natural Science and English language. • Contents of the above disciplines have been developed. • Writers would be re-engaged to elaborate the contents of the various disciplines. • When completed, the materials would be printed for the start of the programme next year.

9. SfL level 2 content development for English language

10. SfL level 2 content development for English Language cont..

11. Characteristics of level 2 • Meet the international standards for helping children and youth attain a basic level of literacy, numeracy and life skills education fulfilling the EFA goals • Aims at assisting children consolidate their mother tongue literacy competences to P6 or JHS levels.

12. Characteristics of level 2 cont. • Help graduates from the SfL year 2 to integrate in P6 or JHS 1 • Enhances the year 2 learners ability to read and write in their mother tongue and read simple sentences in English language • Attains a higher level of numeracy (P4-P6 levels)

13. Characteristics of level 2 cont. • Introduces life skills education and citizenship education (based on the formal education curriculum and other materials) • Provide counseling in life options for youth and helps them transition to the world of work.

14. Conclusion • The programme will be piloted in deprived areas to assist learners to achieve a higher level of literacy and numeracy skills attainment.