Guinea

The launch of English in Guinea Government Primary schools was held on September 16, 2019 at Ecole les DABADAINS in Conakry. The launch was hosted by the Minister of Education and honoured by the presence of the Guinea Prime Minister, Ibrahima Kassory Fofana and the Presidential Adviser supported by top officers of the Ministre de I’Education Nationale et de I’Alphabetisation (MENA) and other relevant government officials. The Prime Minister in his address confirmed the country’s need for English saying that the Jolly Phonics programme is in line with the President Alpha Conde’s vision of rebuilding the Guinean education system. Also, in attendance at the adoption conference were the CP 1 teachers and directors of schools in Conakry who would be part of the Jolly Phonics pilot project. The Jolly Phonics team at the Conference included Mr. Chris Jolly - the Publisher of Jolly Phonics and donor of learning resources and training for the project; Dr. Olubusola Eshiet, Director- Optimalpath Consulting/Project Director and delivery partner for Jolly Futures; Olufunmi Bankole, the Lead Trainer and Emile Akpa, the Jolly Phonics Manager for Cote D’Ivoire. The training was held in two Phases. Phase One consisted of two days’ training in each of the eight regions while Phase Two was a day’s refresher in January 2020. Generally, in each region, six teachers of CP1 from six schools, the school directors, and six inspectors were given two days' training in Jolly Phonics. Also in attendance were volunteers and officers appointed by the Region. Phase one comprised two days. During these two days, the Participant received training on four of the basic skills of Jolly Phonics. In every region, the Phase One training was preceded by a day of consultation. Stakeholders in education and in the wider community were invited to be a part of the consultation sessions. The purpose of the consultation is to inform the community that English is now a part of Guinea Primary education and to help people in the community understand the need for English and how the program will be conducted The second phase of the training was February 2020. By this time, the teachers had become confident in delivering the first four skills. They were able to understand the more advance skills. The training was for the fifth skill and more advance skills. By then, children could read simple words in English and know their meaning in French and their native languages.