- Who are you and what is your job?
My name is Christowaja Gerson Mtinda. I am a Director of Education for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). I am coordinating all the ELCT Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Teachers Training Colleges all over the country. The ELCT registered Secondary Schools are currently 70 (formerly were 74) following the closing of 4 Schools due to reasons that could not be avoided, mostly insufficient funds for running the schools as the ELCT schools do not get any support or incentives from the Government.
- Tell us in 3 words what GPENreformation means for you!
GPENreformation means Cooperation, Inclusive/inclusion and Peaceful means of Teaching
- What does it means for the schools in your region to be part of GPENreformation?
- Schools in my region will be able to collaborate and cooperate with other Protestant schools all over the world and share their experiences on good teaching and learning techniques for peace and quality education. This collaboration will make students to nurture the Christian faith as well as through teaching of Law and Gospel, children will grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus , their savior, who came into this world to suffer and die for their sins.
- Through cooperation with other Protestant schools worldwide, my region schools will be able to be equipped and encouraged to inspire, challenge and motivate other students to develop their God-given gifts and talents to the fullest extent of their abilities.
- Through the Network, schools in my region will be able to see the importance of class inclusion during the teaching process and avoid discriminations of all kind, hence strengthening God’s love among students. This type of classroom gives special education students the support they need and allows them to stay in the least restrictive environment.
- Schools in my region will learn how to abolish corporal punishment by applying peaceful education which is a more proactive approach that uses peace education as a means of creating a more stable and peaceful culture, thereby preventing violent incidents from occurring. Peace education is critical to creating a culture that reduces the need for conflict resolutions methods in schools by developing a comprehensive program that teaches teachers how to interact with their students and avoid unnecessary aggression.
- Schools in my region will be able to nurture a sense of Christian self-worth and create an atmosphere of Christ-centered love, respect and encouragement between and among students, teachers, staff and parents of all faiths.