Strengthening pre- and in-service training to ensure quality MLE instruction.

 PRACTICAL ACTION: Strengthen teacher training to ensure quality, effective MLE, equipping both pre- and in-service educators with the skills to teach in both the mother tongue and official language(s). Ensure school directors and local education officials are aware of and, ideally, involved in the training to understand MLE, support teachers, and address potential questions from community members. 

Key components of pre-service MLE teacher training include to support future educators to: 

• Understand orthography and spelling conventions, as some trainees may have little or no experience reading and writing their own mother tongues.

 • Present lessons using MLE materials and teaching techniques, with opportunities for constructive feedback. 

• Expand access educational materials, such as flashcards, posters, big books, small books and games, to enhance the learning experience and draw on local culture.

 • Apply assessment strategies that allow for the evaluation of learners’ progress through formative testing rather than summative assessments alone. 

• Manage classrooms in ways that foster structured, productive, and inclusive learning environments for all learners. In-service teacher training should build on pre-service training to: 

• Ensure teachers receive feedback from peers, supervisors and school directors, addressing their strengths and weaknesses in lesson delivery and classroom management.

 • Build teachers’ digital skills to enhance teacher pedagogies and learner engagement.

 • Expand peer learning and collaboration so that teachers can share experiences, learn from each other and offer ongoing support. 

• Deepen and refine pedagogical skills, enabling them to integrate these more effectively into daily teaching practice.