- 29% of students want teachers to implement their ideas
- Digitalization, seen by teachers as the main area of investment in the school they teach in
- 82% of teachers want students to pay more attention in class
A World Vision and Vodafone Romania Foundation survey shows that 73% of students in rural areas mainly expect from their teachers to teach in a more interactive way. The survey was carried out in the beginning of September on a sample of 978 students and teachers in rural areas, beneficiaries of the “School in a Box” programme.
According to the same study, students want teachers to be closer to them and to communicate with them better (40%), to be a role model for them, to share their experience with them (38%) and to motivate them to learn (38%).
1 out of 3 students want teachers to implement their ideas
Around 37% of students want less homework, approximately 33% would like teachers to be more like friends who listen to their problems and help them solve them, and 29% want teachers to implement their ideas, for instance, to let them present the lesson. Also, 22% of students in rural areas want teachers to criticise them less.
“This survey shows us that students want lessons which captivate them and, at the same time, they want to have a closer relationship with their teachers, they want teachers to be role models for them and guide them, not only academically, but also emotionally. This is why, this year, we are aiming to invest both in improving the teachers’ didactic abilities, as well as in emotional intelligence trainings which would help them better understand student needs and communication”, says Mihaela Nabăr, executive director World Vision Romania.
“We launched the “School in a Box” programme with the aim of improving the digital skills of teachers and students in rural areas and, in this way, making classes more attractive. A main component is the training of the 1,300 teachers and the 17,000 students in the 50 schools enrolled in the program. Through new methods, adapted to the current reality, teachers and students are prepared to respond to the challenges of a world in which technology and digitalisation play an increasingly important role”, declared Angela Galeța, director of Vodafone Romania Foundation.
Digitalisation – the priority of teachers if the school would receive funding
Regarding the expectations of teachers in rural areas, they want students to pay more attention and to participate more actively during class (82%); to involve their parents more in education (58%); to have more respect and tolerance towards other students – for bullying to stop (55%), to stop skipping classes (49%); to get involved in extracurricular activities (40%) and to have more respect and tolerance towards teachers (37%).
If the school they teach in were to receive significant funding, the priority for teachers in rural areas would be digitalisation. Thus, 67% of teachers would like investments to ensure internet access, projectors and computers.
Also, approximately 62% of teachers would like to have the money invested in trainings for teachers and students, and 51% of respondents would like the school spaces (classrooms, spaces for teachers and administrative staff, toilets) to be repaired and equipped with new furniture.
According to the same survey, 68% of teachers would like to attend workshops in the fields which they specialized in, to learn new teaching techniques; 53% would like to attend emotional intelligence courses and 53% would like to attend e-learning and digitalisation courses. At the same time, 42% would like to participate in soft skills trainings (motivation, time management, teamwork, problem solving, leadership, critical thinking) and 24% would like to know more about the things they are passionate about and which help them relax.
