Children are born ready to learn
Most children will never reach their physical, social, emotional and cognitive potential. While school enrolment rates have improved, global learning is
still in crisis. Of the world's 650 million primary school-age children,
250 million are unable to read, write or do basic mathematics.
All children deserve access to a high-quality education.
Education empowers children, their families and their communities. Every child has the right to pursue engaging learning opportunities. Limited access, poor quality education, a lack of adequately trained teachers and low attendance are some of the most serious issues facing the global education system, today.
When children do not learn basic skills or have the benefit of becoming
lifelong learners, they cannot reach their full potential.
Enrolment in primary education in developing countries has reached 91 per cent, but 57 million children remain out of school. (United Nations, 2015)
The Right To Play Way
We have developed an innovative model of play-based learning to enhance quality education around the world. By using play as an educational tool, we allow children to enjoy the learning process, while improving relationships between students and teachers.
By learning through play, children and youth gain essential life skills such as responsibility, empathy, resilience, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, cooperation and team building. Because play-based learning is fun and engaging, children and youth develop positive associations with school, stay enrolled longer, and perform better academically. Our unique curriculum utilizes our Reflect, Connect, Apply (RCA) methodology, putting the child at the centre of their learning.
After participating in a game, children are led through a series of questions, encouraging them to reflect on the activity, connect the overall lesson to their daily lives and then apply what they've learned. To ensure a supportive environment, teachers are trained to involve children in the learning process, inspiring students to think critically and creatively about what they are doing. Right To Play activities emphasize the rights and safety of all children, including vulnerable populations and groups such as girls and children living with disabilities.
"The use of play helps pupils get interested in their lessons. Consequently, all children go to school. Steps have been taken to integrate play-based learning into the education system."
- Education Officer, Rwanda
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of our education work. We build the capacity of local teachers, training them to use play-based learning and child-friendly techniques in their classrooms. We work with a variety of partners in our program countries to integrate our approach to learning into the country's national education system.
Together, we strengthen the quality of education across these countries. For example, we've worked in partnership with the Rwandan Ministry of Education to implement sport and play-based learning programs in school districts across the country. In 2011, following the success of this approach, our syllabus was formally included in Rwanda’s National Curriculum. Now, every Rwandan school child has access to these learning opportunities.
FROM CHAOS TO CHILD-CENTRED
We know how to engage students in their studies. It's key to ensuring they attend and stay in school. It’s why Adama Fofana, a 27-year-old teacher at the Djinina school in Mali participated in our course about creating a child-centric and child-friendly environment. "I have a huge class, with so many children that I had difficulties engaging all of the children, especially during my physical education and sports activities," says Adama.
With 74 sixth-year students in his classroom, Adama had his work cut out for him. By learning our play-based methodologies, he now creates a safe and friendly environment conducive to learning. “With the basic teacher training I received, I gained tremendous knowledge and expertise on the development of children,” says Adama. “Using the power of sport and play allowed me to find new ways to get the children to participate and to develop. Now, all of the children participate in our activities and see school as an attractive and secure environment to be in.”
Last year, Adama was recognized by the School Management Committee (SMC), for his dynamism, courage, bravery and dedication to the practice of children’s learning. He has been integral in improving classroom engagement and attendance rates. His efforts have helped make the school a playful and attractive learning environment.
"A day that includes Right To Play is a good day, one where I play and share ideas with friends. I want all the children in my school to feel the same way."
- Junior Leader, Tanzania
In 2015, Right To Play launched the Play for the Advancement of Quality Education (PAQE) program with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada. Active in eight countries, PAQE uses Right To Play's play-based approach to learning and development which focuses on a quality education to build teacher capacity and remove barriers to education to improve learning outcomes for children.
