Now Sciences can be revised in puzzles-thanks to Sembatya

The thought of revising Biology, Chemistry and Physics in form of a puzzle seemed bizarre the first time I had it. Having learned to pen hundreds of summaries during high school, it would never have crossed my mind, even in a thousand years, that there could be an option of revising these tough subjects by simply filling in a puzzle.

But currently, with the Valerie puzzle books that cost shs.10, 000, it is possible. The books that are only available for the Science subjects are the brainchild of Rosey Sembatya, the proprietor of Malaika Educare Uganda Ltd that offers education related solutions like revision, looking for a school after UNEB and holiday lessons.

She spoke to me about the concept of puzzles as revision and below are the excerpts of the interview.

How did you develop the idea of setting subjects in form of puzzles as a revision method?

I was inspired by Valerie Nanyonjo, now a senior five student at Nabisunsa Girls Secondary School. During her senior three and four, I learnt that she was struggling with the Biology subject despite the fact that she used to read. As our friendship developed, an idea sparked in my mind. I thought; ‘what if looking into a book is not enough?’ In 2012, I conceived and worked upon the idea of developing puzzle books because it presents a different idea of revising using play. Over the years, play has been taken out of education yet it is an important aspect of especially among children.

What were your objectives behind starting this project?

I set out to make learning playful and by creating puzzles. For a subject like biology which has 40 compulsory objectives in Section A. If a child has understood a concept through puzzles, you find that he/she is more likely to score about 30 in Section A; thus a child has already moved from the F9.

Which effort did you insert in compiling the puzzles?

Together with Deo Okoche and Francis Wangi, both Biology teachers, collected, the Biology syllabus, read it and packaged it into puzzles. This took about two months and all the while, I had to take longer hours at work.

Why Sciences only?

There is cloud of mystery around the science subjects. Many do not think there is any play in them. I thought that by creating something puzzle it would help add play in the Sciences. Puzzles present the work that a child studies in a less serious but beneficial way.

Sciences have not been performed well in a long time and I thought this should be able to make the children love them because it is interactive.

An incomplete puzzle haunts a child because there is always satisfaction that comes with completing it.

Any plans of the Arts on board?

No!

To which schools have these books been distributed?

We have approached and distributed the books to teachers in St. Joseph’s Secondary School-Naggalama, Buddo SS, Lubiri SS and parents from Gayaza and Seeta High schools who have bought individual copies.

Any plans of distributing them to rural areas?

Yes I do. I am hoping that I get sponsorship to take the books to rural schools at a great discount; probably selling it at shs 3000.

Where can the books be bought?

We are in talks with Aristoc Booklet to have the books displayed on their shelves. We have so far distributed copies to bookshops-Angelina and Gastro along Sir Apollo Kaggwa.

What challenges are you experiencing in making the books gain ground?

This is a new system to parents and some of them do not quite understand why a child should revise using puzzles. This comes with laborious explanations to convince a person.

Sometimes, when we market the book to teachers, they ask where are the answers; but we did not want to include them because this would encourage copying thus befitting the purpose of the book. Want the books to ignite thought in a child.

How then are you going to ensure sustainability of the project?

With Valerie, it’s like a pilot because it is the first of its kind. We are still gauging our target audience (O’Level students) to see its impact. But considering that the world is changing, we need to keep inventing things so that we can give a child options.

What challenges are there in our revision system that may be sorted with puzzle revision?

The way we revise today, is as it has been for a long time. Students are still making summaries (which is not a bad thing). But through this book, we hope to create different ways of revising because even if one is tired, he or she can play with a puzzle so that you feel that the system is not too rigid.

The summary way or revising works best with the Arts and there has not been anything for the Sciences really because they mainly have calculations; though we don’t have the mathematical one as yet.

Among the revision methods like discussions and summary making would you recommend and why?

I think each of them complements another because discussions help you learn from one another and check on what one has revised personally.

This concept has come at a time when children are resorting to searching for work on internet especially in rural areas. How are you going to ensure that this brand remains competitive in schools?

If something is playful, it will always be embraced. Considering that a child cannot spend all the time on internet, I am very optimistic that it will survive.

How are you going to ensure copyright over your work?

We have had a few challenges in some schools where they have duplicated the books but without our logos. However, we are trying to patent the concept

About Sembatya;

She was born to Fred and Joyce Sembatya and is a teacher by profession.  She attended Lake Side College in Luzira for O and A ‘Level where she majored in HEL/D later joining Makerere University and pursued a Bachelor in Education.

Here, she majored in Literature and minored in the English Language and taught briefly at Taibah College now Taibah International before joining Barclays Bank where she left in 2010 to start Malaika Educare.

As a foresight, Sembatya is determined and hopeful to make Malaika grow into a school that provides life skills outside academics.

ninsiima@observer.ug