At the ADPP Vocational School Bissorã, teacher Vasco Francisco Nanhoa shares an experience that shows how paying attention to students’ needs can be part of the mission of teaching.
Teaching also means being present when each student needs it most.
As the teacher responsible for Information Technology at the ADPP Vocational School Bissorã, Vasco Francisco Nanhoa realised that one of his students was having difficulties continuing to practise at home what he had learned in class.
“There is a student who learned the exercises in class, but soon afterwards would forget them. One day, I called him aside and asked: ‘What is going on?’ He explained that there is a family problem at home and that he does not have the necessary equipment, namely a laptop. In other words, when he leaves school, he has no way to practise the exercises he has learned.”
Faced with this situation, Vasco decided to open the Information Technology classroom on Saturdays, allowing students to continue practising, ask questions and consolidate the knowledge acquired during lessons.
The initiative arose from a specific need and reflects an important dimension of teachers’ work: understanding students’ difficulties and, within the possibilities available, seeking to create the conditions that enable them to continue learning.
“Creating opportunities to continue learning is also a way of teaching.”
Originally from Bedanda, in the Tombali Region, Vasco Francisco Nanhoa has been teaching at the ADPP Vocational School Bissorã since 2024.
On this World Teachers’ Day, ADPP Guinea-Bissau recognises and thanks all teachers for their daily commitment to education, their attention to their students and the contribution they make to creating new opportunities.
To all teachers, our recognition and gratitude.