An NPO in Otsu City invited three elementary school teachers from Burkina Faso to Japan as part of an education support project. The initiative, led by former JICA volunteer and ex-teacher Yoko Ichikawa, was funded through crowdfunding that raised over 1.5 million yen.
The visiting teachers, including Donacien Dambrel, Fatimata Dao, and Bernard Sanu, observed classes at Ohara Elementary School in Koka City. They were especially interested in Japan’s jugyou kenkyuu (lesson study), where teachers observe and exchange feedback to improve teaching methods. The visitors noted children practicing calligraphy and eagerly asked about strategies to motivate students.
Sanu praised the structured system and philosophy of sharing experiences, saying it would be useful to apply back home. The group will continue visiting schools in Nagano, Tochigi, and Saitama before returning on the 29th.
