This video gives us a look at schools within Zimbabwe during difficult times and gives the views of Eliada Gudza, Executive Director of World Links Zimbabwe, and educators, on why the THRASS programme will make such a huge difference to teaching within the country.

The video opens with clips of children singing and performing the actions to the THRASS SING-A-LONG song ‘Abantwana be Africa’. There follows an short interview with Eliada Gudza, in which he explains the role of World Links in working with schools to improve teaching through the use of technology. THRASS stood out as one of the technologies which could make a difference in Zimbabwe. Eliada has attended a two-day THRASS accredited training course and describes it as ‘the greatest workshop I have ever attended’.

We then move to Zimre Park Primary School, a ‘high density’ school, with as many as fifty children per class! Eliada Gudza explains that they chose the school for the pilot, because there was enthusiasm and vision and, despite their limited resources, he believes that they have the right conditions here to succeed with THRASS. The Headteacher, Mr Mufokozana, says how much he welcomes the programme, because it ‘empowers’ his children in the usage of the English language.

We then look at Ariel School, a school with better resources. Judith Bates, the Headteacher, describes how THRASS, and in particular SING-A-LONG, has given everyone a ‘lift’ in difficult times. She praises the versatility of THRASS, because it can be slotted in throughout the curriculum, not just in language work.

Clips show THRASS being used in the classroom, with the children firstly practising the alphabet and letter location, then a THRASS rap whilst locating the associated pictures. Their teacher says that they love it! In another class, we can watch children working with the SING-A-LONG Interactive Book, which is helping with their coordination skills. Watching them perform the ‘Rock and Roll Jive’, we can see what great fun they are having and how eager they all are to be involved.

Summing up, Eliada Gudza tells us that an increasing number of schools are wanting to be involved in the THRASS initiative, as word spreads. He believes that THRASS would make a real difference to the teaching of English in Zimbabwe and it brings ‘new life into the teaching practice of every teacher’.

We are finally treated to a charming clip of 8-year-olds at Holy Rosary School, Limpopo, a mission school in South Africa, performing the SING-A-LONG song ‘The Oom Pah Pah Melody’ with the associated actions, with such joy and coordination, demonstrating that THRASS is already helping African schoolchildren learn in a fun way.