ERIC supports the community by providing:

  • in-service training to teachers and pre- service training to community members interested in pursuing teaching careers.
  • basic training courses for teachers of informal schools whether community based, home or elsewhere. These courses have been tested successfully in ZKF projects.
    training for parents who wish to be more involved in their children's education.
  • a reference library for teachers which includes subject specific and education based resources.
  • a data base of trained teachers who are available for employment, to assist trainees in finding work and support private schools in their search for trained, capable staff.
  • orientation programs for expatriate NGO staff to enable familiarisation with Pakistan's culture and languages as well as providing living skills and a working knowledge of the region.
  • offers overseas education guidance and IELTS coaching classes.
  • environmental tours for visitors to educate them about local culture, heritage, wildlife, flora & fauna as well as other social issues. Revenue from these tours is used to support ERIC project activities.

    It is sad that the only profession which can be adopted without any training or skill in the private sector in Pakistan is Teaching. It is unique in the world too !

    In order to find well trained teachers in the community, the respective Principals or Directors of these schools can refer all those applicants looking for teaching jobs to ERIC for pre and in-service training on their own cost so that they are given preference in selection for jobs. This is the least one can do to increase the number of trained teachers available for employment.

    ERIC services are available throughout NWFP on demand. Representatives and faculty members are based in Abbottabad and Islamabad also.

Practical teacher training is offered in a course consisting of three modules which is very comprehensive.
MODULE-A
Emphasises the importance of reflection and planning in education.
The topics covered include:

BEING A REFLECTIVE TEACHER
* The Teacher's Role
* The Aims of Schools
* Good Teachers

IDEAS ABOUT LEARNING
* Categories of Learning
* Human Development
* The Learning Environment

DEVELOPING PLANNING SKILLS
* The Planning Process
* Learning Objectives
* Subject Matter
* Writing a Format for Daily Planning

MODULE-B

Provides opportunities for teachers to discover new teaching strategies and activities as well as developing their instructional skills. This workshop incorporates a practical component where teachers are assessed on their lesson planning and teaching. The topics covered include:

CLARITY OF COMMUNICATION
Beginning the Lesson
Concluding a Lesson
Questioning and Responding
Selecting and Using Instructional Resources

DEVELOPING TEACHING STRATEGIES
Broadcast Strategy
Drill Strategy
Exposition Strategy
Demonstration Strategy and others

MODULE-C

Develops the trainee's management skills and techniques for student evaluation. The topics covered include:

MANAGEMENT SKILLS
* Preventing Management Problems
* Techniques for Responding to Inappropriate Child Behavior
* Punishment / Discipline strategies

EVALUATING STUDENT LEARNING
* The Purposes of Evaluation
* Key Concepts in Evaluation
* Evaluative Techniques
* Teacher-Made Tests
* Interpreting Student Performance

Module-A comprises of 24 contact hours covered in a mutually agreed & convenient period.

Pre-service Module-A has an additional 12 hours practical component, which totals 36 contact hours while Modules B & C are of 30 hours.

Schools interested in having a training course designed for a particular need should contact the Centre's Coordinator or Director.
So far, 58 short workshops are offered regularly and are advertised in a newsletter. Up to date information about courses are available on the web. Training costs are approx. Rs.80 (US $1.25) per hour / teacher.

ERIC was established with the assistance and cooperation of the Australian Govt. and the Australian Volunteers International (AVI). www.australianvolunteers.com

List of Benefiting Schools         List of Short Courses        Fee Schedule

 

Sr. Patricia Kennedy (Founder)

Board Members and Patrons

Mrs. Nadine Khan (Patron)
Dr. Nasiruddin - (Ph.D Org. Chem) Dean of Sciences
Col (Rtd) Iftikharuddin Hasan– M.A (English) Adviser
Abid Zareef Khan - M.A (Pol. Sc.) Director

Our faculty members are as follows:
 
Ms. Anita Cole (Australia)
Ms. Michelle Rose (USA)
Ms. Margaret Edwards (UK)
Mr. Darren Green (UK)
Ms. Aqeela Azeem M.A
Ms. Saima Bakhshish B.A ;B.Ed (Gold Medalist)
Ms.Yumna Rana MA; M.Ed
Ms. Rabia Anees M. Phil (Education)


Lest we forget the former faculty & benefactors !!

From June 1998 to December 1999, services of Ms.Anita Cole an Australian Volunteer from Brisbane can never be forgotten in the difficult period of establishment of ERIC and development of training courses alongside Sr. Patricia Kennedy. Similarly, services of Volunteer Teacher Trainers Ms.Geni Sexton from Melbourne (Oct' 2000 - Dec' 2002), Ms.Jenny Learmont from Canberra (Jan to July 2003), Ms.Diedre Roberts from Adelaide (Dec' 03 to Feb' 04), Mr.John Darren Green from UK (2002 & 2005), Ms.Fazila Aswat from South Africa (April to Oct 2007) and Consultants Ms.Sharon Wright & Ms.Geraldine Ditchburn (Perth) will always be remembered and cherished by all those who benefitted from their work and cultural exchanges.

ERIC could not have been established without the relentless and selfless support of Ms.Conny Lenneberg the former Head of Asia Bureau of the AVI and the management. Presently, she is the Head of Development of the World Vision International (Australia).