The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism organized several seminars in Arusha and Dar-es-Salaam training teachers who are currently active in the tourism industry.
Photos: Certificates awarded to Mr. Vedasto Izoba & Angel Izoba after completing the teacher's Development Program successfully.
A Team of Experts visits PROTS on an INSPECTION Mission.
By Staff Reporter.
Photo: Mr. Izoba explaining a certain point to the EU Teacher's Professional Development team. A team of experts from the EU that is working together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism in developing a Curriculum for Tour Guides visited PROTS on 29th April, 2009. They were on an Observation/Inspection Mission to see how our teachers have benefited from attending several workshops on TEACHER’S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME.
The Principal picked them from KIBO Palace Hotel and drove straight to PROTS Campus located in Sanawari Area. Upon arrival they were introduced to the staff and they were shown the Laminated Library that contains more than 5000 Laminated pages. The Principal explained how he spent several years compiling the Electronic Library but the students were not ready for that kind of a facility. Many have problems in retrieving information from the computers! Late 2008, the Principal had to design a different kind of a Library and came up with this brilliant idea of laminating individual pages from different Guide Books, Magazines, brochures, and even pages printed from the Internet. This makes the pages durable and no one can steal single pages as compared to books. Mr. Izoba, expressed his joy to the immediate response from the students. “Their reaction was am
azing! They are very comfortable with hard copies! It seems they have evolved to reading hard copies!” he said.
He went on to explain that, the advantages of this facility are enormous. The main one being the immediate availability of information to the students that has contributed to the fast completion of their projects. They are taking less time to complete their projects in Advanced Certificate. Some are even doing more than one project. “They seem to enjoy it a lot! I’ll definitely give them more!” he said. Almost every week there is a new arrival in the library - a guide book, a magazine, etc.
Above: The Principal giving details on the Laminated Library.
Then, the team went upstairs and found Victor Izoba in the classroom - doing his thing. It was on Camp Management and it was great listening to him explaining the importance of knowing the different Vegetation Zones, connected to the animals they keep and how this contributes to their behaviours.
Left: Victor in class. As we entered, he was giving details of the Swine flu! How it spreads, the precautions one must take and the latest statistics of the infected.
Next, was Angel and her class on Simulation and Role Plays. This time the students simulated on “Answering Questions” - how to answer or respond to different questions tourists get to ask, correctly and competently. The DVD Camera was there recording each group and the playback will be used for corrections and evaluations.
Last, Mr. Izoba, 
came in with his famous Wildlife Ecology and Natural History and the lecture was about THE NIMBLE OPPORTUNISTS, the Jackal and Vultures. Being a carnivore is not an easy task and sometimes one has to be opportunistic in order to succeed. Some people find themsleves in this kind of situation. The students now look at the jackals and vultures in different light, as WABANGAIZAJI (opportunists) and not bloody killers.
Finally, the experts went back into the office and expressed their appreciation of what PROTS is doing and they evaluated the teachers and their training techniques. They also provided some suggestions as to how the training could be improved. Their written reports will be sent to PROTS later. The principal drove them back and dropped them at NCT, Arusha campus at Sakina.
Enjoy the photos!
Left: Students displaying remarkable attentiveness and by listening and writting at the same time.
Training Aids: TV set; VHS & DVD Deck, Sound Systems are used for Documentary and other shows, to aid and enhence understanding. The traditional Blackboard is quite unavoidable for extra notes.
Modular Rolling Program: This system enables a student to join as soon as he pays and goes through the syllabus until he completes the cycle. He can then spend a few more months to attain graduation standards and complete his project.This ensures a full class at all time - a good thing for participation, discussions, leadership skills trials at the news ones who are also learning from the older ones.
Upstairs Classroom: Spacious with plenty of air and natural light. Comfortable conditions are important for serious study.
Computers: We use them for PowerPoint presentations that makes it easy to include pictures for easy understading.
Left: Hanna introducing herself to the class and explaining their mission to Tanzania and PROTS.
Ba could leave without taking this wonderful photo from our balcony. We never noticed this sunset view until she came. Tour guides encouraged to look at things with the "Eyes of a Tourist".
All photos with the courtesy of Liam Smith.
Left: The last time we had inspectors at PROTS was in August 2004. A team from VETA Northen Zone, in the Principal's office.
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