TIPA - Terrain for Interactive Pedagogy through Arts

To achieve TIPA’s vision of success for its 2021-2024 programme, we have developed three key projects targeting our central actors:

• Engaging children in their learning process
• Involving parents in children’s education
• Encouraging educators towards a participative approach

Key activities have been developed to respond to this vision of success, segmented into seven activities:

Activity 1 - Art workshops and events with children

Art workshops and events provide creative learning spaces both in schools and within communities. These activities are designed to meet the special needs of vulnerable children through artistic activities and pedagogical tools. The workshops aim to help children become active learners by promoting interactivity, participation, and motivation in class. Additionally, TIPA focuses on building children's self-confidence by developing their knowledge of rights, responsibilities, and values, and by recognising their progress over the years.

Activity 2 - Follow-up of children with difficulties

Children facing difficulties often struggle with personal development due to various factors such as violence, biological issues, socio-economic challenges, physiological conditions, and educational barriers. These factors can significantly impact a child's physical, mental, and behavioural health. TIPA implements a child protection protocol, tools, follow-up meetings, and actions to support children in difficulty, ensuring respect for children's rights and protection. This involves collaboration between TIPA, school staff, and parents to create a proactive and supportive learning environment.

Activity 3 – Parent’s club & online support to parents

The Parent’s Club is a dynamic platform where parents engage in their child's education both physically and online through Facebook and WhatsApp. Through art workshops, discussions on educational issues, and topics such as positive discipline, parenting skills, and rights and duties, parents build trust in themselves and in the school staff. The online platforms provide access to pedagogical tools and artistic activities that parents can use with their families and offer a space for them to discuss and adapt these tools to their own needs. The goal of the Parents Club & online support is to help parents recognise their strengths and transform their weaknesses into strengths. It fosters a community where parents feel comfortable, valued, and motivated to actively participate in their child's education.

Activity 4 - Training and follow-up of parents

This activity focuses on empowering parents who have been active participants in the Parent’s Club over the past five years and have expressed interest in joining the TIPA team for field activities. A small group of eight mothers is being trained to become Community Coordinators, acquiring the skills necessary to facilitate art workshops with children in their communities and schools, as well as with other parents in the Parent’s Club.

During the training sessions, these Community Coordinators are encouraged to reflect on TIPA’s pedagogical tools and artistic activities and to develop new ones for use in the art workshops. They also participate in regular coaching sessions and individual meetings to enhance their self-leadership skills and efficiency, both in their roles with TIPA and as parents. Currently, they are working on evaluating the impact of the art workshops on children.

Activity 5 - Facilit’Art Training

In the Facilit'Art training programme, educators gain the skills to facilitate art workshops and promote pupils' citizenship values. Participants delve into Interactive Pedagogy methods that encourage children to become active learners. The training emphasises on the sharing good practices and fostering collaboration among educators. Facilitators work alongside each other to plan activities that involve their colleagues and/or pupils' parents. This programme plays a significant role in professionalizing the educational, artistic, and social sectors.

Activity 6 - Trainings for educators/teachers

Our training programmes are dedicated to the professional development of teachers and educators, emphasising creative teaching skills and reflective practices in their pedagogical approach and positioning. The training covers a broad range of topics, including interactive pedagogy methods and tools that encourage children's participation, child self-assessment, and the exercise of rights and responsibilities. These sessions also focus on enhancing class management and group regulation, developing life skills, and valuing children's potential through the arts.

Activity 7 - Networking for advocacy & awareness

Through the Kolektif Drwa Zanfan Morisien (KDZM), TIPA collaborates with other NGOs to conduct advocacy activities and awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to create synergy and bring attention to educational, and protection matters concerning children's rights. The awareness activities target parents, teachers, and the public to better protect children and ensure they feel secure in their environments. Additionally, these activities involve children directly, helping them understand and be aware of their rights.

TIPA was co-founded by Emilie Carosin, PhD (Researcher in Psychology and Education) and Angelique de La Hogue (Educationalist). It began as a pilot project in 2007 for children experiencing learning or social difficulties at Black River Government School. The project was established in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the ZEP (Zones d’Education Prioritaire) Unit, based on research indicating that teaching arts through interactive pedagogy fosters the development of moral values. This initiative aligned with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources' mission to promote essential life skills, critical and innovative thinking, and citizenship values.

Between 2016 and 2020, TIPA implemented a programme aimed at creating strategies to support children living in poverty. This programme positively impacted children (both ZEP pupils and others in the school neighbourhood), teachers (and other educational professionals), and parents (as well as the broader educational community).

Due to socio-economic inequalities, children from vulnerable backgrounds often start their schooling with fewer learning opportunities than their peers. Despite ongoing reforms, our education system still emphasises academic subjects and employs pedagogical approaches that are not suitable for all children, failing to encourage self-expression, creativity, and critical thinking.

However, society increasingly needs creative, confident, and proactive citizens with the social skills to work in teams and contribute to the country's development. TIPA's actions with these children, their teachers, and their parents aim to address this need for greater social justice in the Mauritian society and to empower children to become engaged and active citizens.

Since its inception, TIPA has made a significant impact on the following beneficiaries:

• Over 2,000 children from 10 ZEP schools have benefited from TIPA's artistic activities
• More than 1,800 teachers and educators from NGOs have participated in TIPA's training programmes
• Over 100 parents have received support from TIPA

TIPA's existence is made possible by dedicated corporate partners. We collaborate with businesses from a wide range of industries that align with our values and vision. These partnerships are personal and tailored to each company.

TIPA is eligible to receive CSR funds and has been registered with the Registrar of Associations since 2008. It has also been accredited by the CSR Committee (N/1182) since 2009.

A significant amount of time is dedicated to securing sponsors. TIPA provides corporate supporters with detailed project updates through regular reports, photos, and testimonials, demonstrating the positive impact of their support.

No contribution is too small. The opportunities to make a positive impact in the community are boundless.