1. Introduction

Even when children do have access to school, they may require extra assistance with their schoolwork and learning. This is particularly true in contexts where there is a high rate of absenteeism and high teacher/pupil ratios. For some students, remediation will be required even in the best learning environments, simply because they are slower learners and may have special learning needs. Home based remediation by teachers, outside school hours can provide children with the added support that is required. In order to provide the required assistance classroom teacher need to receive specialized training.

2. Primary Objectives

• To provide one-on-one support to children who are experiencing learning difficulties in the classroom.
• To foster the self esteem, confidence and understanding of slower learners.
• To encourage parents and older siblings to get more involved with the child's education.

3. Target group

Slow learners from all grade levels. Focusing primarily on children in grade 1 and 2.

4. Information on Implementation

After the first semester of school, those children who score lower than the average on the semester exams are identified as slow learners. Home-based remediation is so named because it takes place in students' homes. The teacher goes to the student's house after school and provides one-on-one instruction on the topic or area the student is having difficulty with in the classroom. Before teachers can give remedial instruction they must attend a training workshop (in Cambodia this is a one day special training for teacher and a half day for the parents). Workshop topics include: determining lesson content based on student learning needs; learning in small steps; cueing; self-monitoring of progress; using multiple senses for learning; continuous assessment; and immediate feedback on learning. Two representatives per cluster usually attend the training and then provide training for teachers in the cluster. Teachers provide remediation for 15 minutes per child once a week on Sunday. Teachers are remunerated for their services as they are extracurricular activities.

5. Resources Needed

• Teacher trainers - $2.50 per day per trainer x 2 days
• Training materials - $25 per group
• Materials for home instruction
• Remuneration for teachers - $0.50/hour per teacher x 4 hours/week x 16 weeks
• Site set-up - $15/site
• Teacher travel costs