Muballigh Workshop Report
Enhancing Teacher’s Professionalism
Introduction
This report aims at conveying an overview of the proceedings of the Bilal Kenya Madrassa Teachers’ Workshop held between 1st-8th February and 14th -21st February 2021 at Imam Al-Ridha Islamic Centre, Mtongwe.
The main objective of this series of workshops is to enhance the madrassa teachers’ teaching skills and capabilities towards greater professionalism. This workshop is a first in an ongoing series that will cover all muballigheen. We hope to also span out and include madrassa teachers from other tabligh centres.
Workshop objectives:
- To advance teachers’ professionalism, qualities and abilities.
- To help create good interaction skills between the teacher and the learners through different teaching methodologies and learning styles.
- To acquire skills in the application of technology in their daily work activities e.g. in documentation and classroom presentation.
- To motivate teachers through planned trainings, staff team building and for improvement of their working conditions.
The targeted participants:
This workshop targeted the 80 plus Bilal Madrasa and pre-primary teachers. The potential participants are divided into groups of up to 24 per workshop in order to allow for maximum engagement opportunity by every participant.
For the first workshop, 18 members turned up, four (4) being unable due to unavoidable circumstances. This group involved staff from the following centers:
- Ahlul Kisa Centre, Kichaka Mkwaju.
- Ahlul Bait Centre, Shimoni.
- Al Mahdy Centre, Burani.
- Husaini Centre, Bahakanda.
- Al Mujtaba Centre, Miamba.
- Ahlul Bayt Centre, Moyeni.
- Al Ridha Islamic Centre, Mtongwe.
The second workshop consisted of 28 teachers from the following centres:
- An-Nabii Centre, Nzavoni
- Ar- Rahma Centre, Kilungu
- Jafferiya Centre, Masongaleni
- Amani Centre, Dembwa
- Al- Baqir Centre, Mwasafu
- Al- Hujjah Centre, Chengoni
- Jaffery Centre, Makina
- Al- Mahdy Centre, Samburu
Members who were unable to attend the first workshop turned up for the second one.
Several of the female teachers had small babies to care for and a crèche was arranged at the workshop venue to support them during their stay.
Topics Presented and Facilitators:
In this workshop 5 instructional topics were presented which included;
- Methods & Techniques of Teaching, delivered by Al Haj Ali Njoloi.
- Interactive Teaching Strategies, delivered by Madam Saida Mueni.
- Curriculum & Curriculum Development, delivered by Mr. Elisha Mwango.
- Written & Oral Reporting delivered by Madam Mary Nyakanini & team.
- Information & Communication Technology delivered by Mr. Yusuf Abwanzo.
Each Topic had one-and-a-half-hour daily engagement sessions.
As this was a residential workshop, the evenings were dedicated for exchanging and sharing views, ideas and experiences on the challenges and opportunities for Tabligh in the centers. This was facilitated by Sheikh Musa Shali.
Observations:
The workshop through various assessment activities such as recorded interviews, comments of participants about the facilitators, Q&A at the end of each lesson and participants’ evaluation of the tutors has impressed the participants and met their expectations. Some participant remarks and comments:
- Can these lessons be extended for a longer period i.e. two weeks or more right away?
- How great would have been the impact of my work throughout my teaching career if I had been aware of these skills and applied them?
- So many workshops have been held but this one is unique compared to all of them.
- This kind of workshop should continue up to the end of the full package of the content.
- Now I feel motivated and able enough to manage my career at any learning organization with efficiency and professionalism.
- At first I was reluctant to attend this workshop, believing it would be of no benefit but now I wish to have it continue till the end of the course.
The participants’ active engagement during the lessons and subsequent comments point to the importance and positive impact of continuous learning opportunities for the Bilal Muballighs. With adequate support, it is intended to continue these training sessions for a longer duration in the future.
Conclusion:
This workshop has been an eye opener and a game changer to the nature of work at the Bilal centers. It has elevated the teachers’ professional skills, boosted their confidence, self-esteem and rejuvenated their morale.
As they start implementing the new learning, despite its short duration of 6 days only, the expectation is for a lot of positive changes taking place. These changes will not only affect the management of their work but also the quality of administration of their services.
In conclusion, this workshop has been successful and met the desired objectives and expectations.
Participant Recommendations:
The following recommendations were made towards more productive and fruitful workshops in the future:
- Continuous Education and refresher workshops be held at least twice per year till completion of the remaining phases for the whole teaching curriculum.
- A tutorial micro teaching assessment exercise by the tutors to be conducted immediately. This assessment will be to support teachers in the effective and practical application of their learning in the classroom, building their self-confidence and experience as effective madrassa teachers.
- Appreciating the instructors with gifts, since doing so is natural, sound and motivating.
The Mission
appreciates your generous contribution which ensured a smooth running of this
workshop.
The Mission also thanks all those involved in this program.
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya
P.O Box 82508 – 80100
Tel: +2542229641
Email: admin@kenbilal.org
Web: www.kenbilal.org
Compiled by Sh. Ali Njoloi & Md. Saida Mueni
March 2021