Observing the need for a more student-centered pedagogy, the Technical Office for Salesian Professional Formation (BTFPSA) of the Rinaldi Foundation has embarked upon an initiative to implement Competency-Based Learning within the Salesian vocational schools of Haiti. Supported by Caritas and Jovenes y Desarollo of Spain, the BTFPSA has contracted with Dr. Yannick Daoudi, a Canadian educational consultant, to provide formation to the Salesian vocational centers on the utilization of such an approach in their institutions.
In addition to reorganizing content into learning modules that focus on particular concrete skills, the method also places an emphasis on the student as being the primary agent in learning. The student is expected to be inquisitive, full of initiative, persistent, and organized his/her own work. Such a student must collect new information and know how to use new technologies to gather and share it. The teacher plays the role of a facilitator who supports the learner. He/she organizes activities, advises, accompanies, encourages, and supports.
Throughout the 2017-2018 academic year Dr. Daoudi has continued to make visits to Haiti in order to train formators as well as management and administrative staff of the Salesian centers on the implementation of this learning approach, and he has also worked carefully to provide evaluation and guidance on the current situation of the Salesian centers.
While much work still lies ahead in the transition to competency-based learning, there is much expectation about what this approach can provide for Haiti’s youth. Youth will be more actively engaged in their education and more empowered to follow their dreams.
