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
