ASSOCIATED VOLUNTEER experts

Supporting “Les Fleurettes”school group in Yaoundé (Cameroon)

"Les Fleurettes" school includes 7 preschool classes with 224 children, i.e. an average of 32 children per class. This is a private, secular school, established by Mrs. Fotso Colette.

The building was erected in 2013 but the inside is not completed.

Classrooms are minimally equipped.

Requested support consisted in suggesting first how to fit classrooms, considering the teaching methodology recommended at preschool level.

As this teaching is based on play, I suggested “play corners”, for instance:

• building sets: cubes, kaplas (wooden block construction toy)...
• imitation games: cooking, doll...
• “graphic arts” corner: painting, collages...
• “grouping corner”: rhymes, songs, poetry learning

The layout must be noticeable, readable, understandable.

“Show me your classroom, I will tell you which pedagogy you use”

As the school is located in Yaoundé, I paid attention to 3 topics :

• elements critical for the a smooth operation of a classroom
• possibility of manufacturing elements locally
• cost of elements

A second round of support will deal with training of preschool teachers,

which is planned during the next mission (end of August / beginning September).

Finally, a pedagogical assistance will subsequently be requested for the 13 primary classes of the school.

Françoise JESTIN - AVe Expert