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THE ROLE OF HEALTH WORKER INSTRUCTORS
It is not enough to explain to health workers about ‘people-centered’ education.
We teachers must set an example. This means we must carefully and frequently
examine our own teaching habits, in terms of both the methods we use and the
way we relate to our students.
• The methods we use. If we would like health workers to use stories when
teaching village mothers, then we, too, need to use stories for helping health
workers learn. If we would like them to help children learn through puppet
shows, games, and discovering things for themselves, we must let them
experience the excitement of learning in these ways. If health workers are
to help farm workers discuss problems and choose their own courses of
action, then we must give health workers similar opportunities during training.
Health workers will be more able to help others learn by doing if they,
themselves, learn by doing.
• How we relate. How we instructors teach health workers is just as important
as what we teach them. But how we teach depends greatly on how we feel
toward our students.
If we respect our students’ ideas, and encourage them to question our authority
and to think for themselves, then they will gain attitudes and skills useful for helping
people meet their biggest needs.
But if we fail to respect our students, or make them memorize lessons without
encouraging them to question and think, we may do more harm than good. Our
experience has shown us that health workers trained in this way make poor
teachers and bossy leaders. Rather than helping people gain the understanding and
confidence to change their situation, they can even stand in the way.
To set a good example for health workers, we instructors need to:
• Treat the health workers as our equals-and as friends.
• Respect their ideas and build on their experiences.
• Invite cooperation; encourage helping those who are behind.
• Make it clear that we do not have all the answers.
• Welcome criticism, questioning, initiative, and trust.
• Live and dress modestly; accept only modest pay.
• Defend the interests of those in greatest need.
• Live and work in the community. Learn together with the people, and
share their dreams.
These ideas are beautifully expressed in this old Chinese verse:
PGLLBSBloeaeeuoriagnvinvirlenedwnsTTewoifhathrnheroiectmmwmhThh;hw;ToeafhhmtyeaTom;tuhT;rehyPeekyonpholwae:v. e;
“WeTBhuhwtahtevheoePifeordnetowhapnteclhoeecbreoiaekitmslrltiOtpsrlauledesiramosksdhneaieleesrvr,dkse,s: .