Teaching/Learning

Curriculum

ELDAN adopts and follows the curriculum given by the Oromia Regional Government Education Bureau. Within this framework, however, the school aims for more. We focus to adequately prepare our students to have a good command of the English language (both spoken and written), on mathematics and science subjects. To this effect ELDAN present additional materials that are helpful to the quick and easy learning of children. Students learn 8 subjects: - Amharic, Afaan Oromo, English, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Art, Music and Physical education. In addition to these subjects students learn civic education. The science subject has two parts, Natural and Social Sciences. English and Amharic languages are currently in use as the school’s instructional media. Class is conducted from 8:30 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon.

ELDAN strives to build the whole person. Students are encouraged to speak in public, to exchange letters with their age mates locally and internationally, to develop their reading habits through a regular visit to the school library, to show and share their talents in various areas etc. They are always encouraged to question, think, identify problems do their own research to arrive to some basic facts and answers. ELDAN makes every effort to nurture a self confident, self reliant, self disciplined young person ready to face any challenge and turn that to an opportunity and excel academically and socially- hence our motto “Yes, it is possible”. ELDAN encourages its students to participate in various extra-curricular activities. Each student belongs to more than one school club such as English club, anti-HIV/AIDS club, civic club, scout club, drama club, mini media, sport club, campus beautification club and many more.

Teachers

Teachers play a paramount role in our students’ life and the overall activity of the school. Our teachers are committed to attend the learning needs of each child to their level best. ELDAN encourages its teachers to upgrade their skills and refresh their training by enrolling into the continuing education programs of the various higher education institutions available in the town. In addition, ELDAN facilitates the ground so that its teachers can participate in different other professional development seminars, workshops, conferences organized by a range of public and private institutions. From time to time ELDAN organizes its own workshops for teachers by inviting experts in curriculum development and pedagogical sciences. Teachers are assigned to teach subjects based on their specialization and interest.

Most ELDAN teachers are trained and certified by the regional Red Cross Society in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and First Aid provision. The deputy principal positions at ELDAN are filled in on a rotation basis. Each teacher has the opportunity to assume this position for a full academic year. Each section has a major class teacher and an assistant teacher. However, ELDAN’s teachers take teaching as a collective responsibility and they all strive to the overall development of each child by helping them to excel in their lifelong learning.

Students

When it went operational in 2002, ELDAN Jimma had only 28 students. In 2004-05 this number grew to a little over 800 students of age 6-13 years. In 2006/07 the school enrolled over 1200 students in both Jimma and Agaro campuses. During the current academic year ELDAN Jimma and Agaro are teaching over 1700 students of which 47% are girls. ELDAN students come from families of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

It has been ELDAN’S culture to select one student as the star of the school for the year. The star student of the year is selected based on academic excellence, good conduct and over all activity in the school. Bethelihem Mola of grade 4 (in 2004-2005) got this prestigious title and awarded a reduced school fee for the year. This prize carries a 400 Birr value. We wish Bethelihem all the best in her future academic career. Stars of the year 2006 were Umer Mudesir /from the first cycle/ and Bethelihem Molla /from the second cycle/.

Uniforms

At ELDAN students are required to come to school with proper uniform. The uniform for boys is light green trousers, light green sleeveless top, and light blue shirt. Similarly, girls’ uniform is light green dress or trousers, light green sleeveless top, and light green shirt. Girls who prefer to wear head scarves for religious or any other reason are free to wear.

Parents

Parents are close partners of ELDAN. They have an important role in the learning process at ELDAN. Our school-parent relationship is tight knit. We work hand in hand with parents in order to achieve our goal. We have parents committee organized to give an advisory support to our school.