Scholars From The Streets:The Learning Hub Project

The SCEF Learning Hub, located in Jamestown and Accra Central, is committed to empowering street-connected children by providing a safe, supportive, and academically enriching environment. With a focus on closing educational gaps, the Hub offers services including literacy programs, STEAM education, life skills development, and recreational activities. Serving an average of 58 children daily and up to 1,000 monthly, the Learning Hub aims to improve literacy and numeracy, enhance STEAM skills, and provide vital life skills to help children break free from the cycle of poverty. This report outlines the Hub’s progress, challenges, and recommendations for improvement over the reporting period.

Key Activities

The following key activities have been carried out at the Learning Hub:

• Library: Daily reading sessions and literacy workshops have been conducted.
• Classroom: Supplemental instruction in core subjects with a focus on literacy, numeracy, and STEAM-based learning.
• Craft Lab: Creative workshops that enhance critical thinking and fine motor skills.
• Playground: Play-based learning that integrates education with physical activity.
• Mentorship Program: Adult mentors provide guidance and serve as role models for the children.

Key Milestones

• A STEAM pilot project was launched, involving 10 children (5 boys, 5 girls) to ensure gender balance.
• Individualized lesson plans were developed for these students, focusing on foundational IT skills (e.g., parts of a computer, input/output devices).
• After-School Program: A total of 330 children engaged in literacy and numeracy homework exercises. 120 children participated in reading activities, 103 in health and life skills, and 205 in sports, bringing the total library users during this period to 758.

Progress and Way Forward

• STEAM Classes: The STEAM pilot has shown promise, but attendance has been inconsistent, especially on Fridays. We plan to adjust the schedule based on student and family feedback to ensure better participation.
• After-School Program: The long school break caused lower attendance during this period. This led to fewer children attending regular programs, but we aim to address this by increasing parental engagement.

Challenges

1. Attendance Issues: Attendance dropped during school vacations, which affected program delivery.
2. Inconsistent Participation in STEAM Classes: Participation in the STEAM classes has been irregular, especially due to family obligations on Fridays.

Lessons Learned

1. After-School Program: Emphasizing the importance of continuous learning to parents is critical, especially during school breaks.
2. STEAM Classes: Better communication with parents about the long-term benefits of STEAM education can improve attendance and commitment.

Recommendations

1. Enhance Parental Engagement:

   • We plan to hold regular forums to update parents on their children’s progress and gather feedback.
   • Create smaller, regional parent groups to increase accessibility and encourage more involvement.

2. Revamp STEAM Class Scheduling:

   • Reassess the current class schedules and gather feedback from children and families to improve attendance.
   • Incorporate more hands-on, interactive STEAM projects to make learning more engaging and encourage regular attendance.

Next Actionable Steps

1. STEAM Classes:

   • Action: Reassess the current schedule and gather feedback from students and families.
   • Timeline: Complete reassessment by the end of the month and implement changes next term.

2. Enhance Parent Engagement:

   • Action: Schedule monthly parent forums and establish smaller regional groups for localized meetings.
   • Timeline: Begin monthly forums next month.