Within the framework of the project “Child’s rights in coffee sourcing sector” sponsored by Save the Children International in Vietnam, on 7 and 8 July 2022, the Centre for Rural Development in Central Vietnam organized training of trainer (ToT) course on “Methods of organizing activities to improve reading and writing skills for children” in Buon Ho town, Dak Lak province.

The training course attracted 31 participants (14 males and 17 females) who are representatives of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Dak Lak province, the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Cu M’gar district and Buon Ho town, the commune project management board, the Youth Union and core teachers are directly supporting the implementation of reading camps in 06 project communes, including Ea Drong and Cu Bao (Buon Ho town), Ea Drong and Ea Tul (Cu M’gar district) and Ea Tan and Dlieya (Krong Nang district). The training was facilitated by Ms. Tran Huong Thao – an Education Program Coordinator and Mr. Do Viet Dung – a consultant from Save the Children International in Vietnam.

The goal of this training is to provide participants with extended knowledge and skills to facilitate reading sessions for children, to equip them with appropriate methods and skills to be able to effectively organize reading camps in schools and communities, and troubleshoot organizational challenges of each location and discussion for resolutions and sustainability of the Reading Camp model.

The ToT training applied the method of practice – sharing experiences – practical lessons during the implementation of Reading camp models in the local from core teachers who are directly implementing the Reading Camp’s activities in the project communes. The agenda of the training focuses on: some key points in the Reading camp model; lessons learned, challenges and recommendations during the implementation of reading camps; some basic soft skills such as communication, listening, observation, feedback and group communication skills with children in reading camp activities,…

By the end of the training, 100% of participants were satisfied with the content of the training with motivational methods and the trainer’s management skills. Most of the participants thought that the content of the training course was beneficial and practical. The information/documents helped the participants change to better apply methods and skills in improving children’s reading and writing skills. Through this training, the participating officers, Commune Youth Union and teachers understood the principles, content and implementation steps to effectively organize Reading Camp activities in schools and communities. More importantly, reading camps are also discussed and planned right at the training class, which will contribute to replicating and integrating into the Reading Camp model being implemented with the participation of local authorities, Commune Youth Union and core teachers, thereby helping many children to access and enhance more skills and knowledge through activities to improve reading and writing skills for children in the locality.

Some pictures of the ToT training on organizing Reading Camp

                                        Trainers sharing the agenda of the training

                           Participants are summarizing the theory of Reading camp model

               Participants are sharing experiences and practical lessons during the implementation of Reading camp model

Group discussion activities of participants

   Nguyen Van Nam

                                                           Center for Rural Development in Central Vietnam