Collaboration with the University of Namibia
Supported by a grant from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), the UNESCO Chair activities in Namibia can be expanded
The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), in collaboration with the Center for Development and Environment at the University of Bern, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and under guidance of the Leading House Africa has approved a grant to expand the KaziKidz teaching tool.
With the grants goal of promoting scientific collaboration and exchange among Swiss and African universities, this will allow both colleagues from University of Namibia (UNAM) and University of Basel (UniBas) to conduct mutual research stays abroad. Prof Cilas Wilders and team from UNAM work in close collaboration with the Namibian Ministry of Education, as well as with public elementary schools in rural areas of Namibia where there is a need for teaching and learning resources, and have extensive knowledge and experience in regards to the development and assessment of physical education in public schools in Namibia.
The main focus of activities will be the development of the KaziKidz teaching tool for children aged five to six currently visiting pre-primary schools. As such, KaziKidz Pre-Primary is an extension of the KaziKidz curriculum from the KaziBantu project, which was developed under the UNESCO Chair with colleagues at Nelson Mandela University from Gqeberha, South Africa. The teaching resources consist of a collection of ready-made lessons on physical education, movement to music, health, nutrition, and hygiene, and are freely available.
Project activities are set to start by November 2022.