Equity in Education: KIE English Workshop by TSG

Education is a powerful tool that has the potential to transform lives and create a brighter future for all. Unfortunately, not all children have equal access to educational opportunities. In Sri Lanka alone, a staggering 30% of children are unable to complete their secondary education, according to the 2022 World Bank report. For far too long, children from low-income families and marginalised communities in Sri Lanka have faced significant barriers to accessing quality learning - making it more apparent than ever that something needs to change.?

At Third Space Global, we believe that every child deserves the chance to learn, grow and discover their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. And it is our understanding that each student has unique needs, comes from different backgrounds and requires a learning experience best suited to them, which allows us to adopt the finest educational practices and approaches in an effort to make a difference.?

Just as it provides top-notch tutoring services to students in the UK, the company also strives to give back to our local community and ensure that no child gets left behind. The ‘KIE English Workshop’ organised by our Senior Executive of Talent Acquisition, Salma Ameer, and the Recreational Club of TSG is a testament to this.?

The workshop was held at the Pearl Pre-School in Ratmalana and focused on empowering underprivileged children by improving their English skills in a fun and enjoyable way. The students, ranging from grades 6 to 9, were fully engaged in the different activities designed by our team of volunteers, taking on challenges with eagerness and enthusiasm. Regardless of how old they were, each of them was encouraged to expand their knowledge and develop a newfound love for language learning.?

From beginning with an icebreaker game of ‘Simon Says’, the session progressed to a range of age-appropriate group activities such as colouring exercises, creative writing tasks, memory match, charades, and an interesting rendition of the classic “Dog and the Bone”.? The aim was to help these children get comfortable with the language in a casual and cheerful setting - a safe space where they could share their ideas and opinions, and avoid roadblocks in improving their abilities.?

By the end of the workshop, every one of those 45 children had not only improved their ability to follow English commands and express themselves in the language, but they had also enhanced their vocabulary and comprehension skills. What's more, they had a good time too. Studies show that children learn better when they are having fun because the release of dopamine during enjoyable activities improves attention, motivation, and memory retention, leading to more effective learning outcomes. And this experience more than proved that to be true.?

What really made the day was when the children themselves chose three of their peers to deliver an impromptu thank-you speech. It was a powerful reminder of the impact these sorts of initiatives can have in bridging learning gaps and making education not just an enjoyable experience, but an enriching one too. TSG is honoured to have been a part of something so rewarding, and we are already looking forward to the next opportunity. The commitment of our volunteers in organising the workshop is a reflection of Third Space Global's aspirations to promote excellence, accessibility, and community. We strive every day to give students the chance to take their learning journey to the next level, in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Malsha Ratnayaka?(Intern - Content Management)