My School and My Friends
Primary 2 · Social and Religious Studies
My School and My Friends
Lesson 1 of 3
12 min
Let's begin
Mutesi stands under the tree in the school compound. She is counting the grown-ups she can see.
One is ringing the bell. One is stirring a big pot. One is unlocking the store room. One is sweeping the path. Mutesi thinks, "So many people! Why are they all here?"
They are all here for one reason: you. Today you will meet the people at your school and learn how each one helps you learn.
A community is a group of people who live or work together and help one another. Your home is a community. Your village is a community. And your school is one too.
In a community, nobody does everything alone. Each person has a job, and all the jobs fit together like the pieces of a puzzle.
Keza cannot read the word umugozi. Her teacher writes it on the board, breaks it into small parts, and reads it with her three times. On the fourth try, Keza reads it alone. She grins.
Your teacher explains the lesson. She gives you work. She marks your book and shows you your mistakes, so you can fix them. Your teacher stays with your class almost every day.
On Monday everyone stands outside for assembly. A woman greets all the classes. She gives the news. She reminds everyone to come on time.
She is not the teacher of one class. She is in charge of everybody.
She is the headteacher. Your class teacher leads your class. The headteacher leads the whole school: every class, every teacher and every learner. If there is a big problem, the headteacher helps to solve it.
At break, Gatete's stomach is rumbling. A woman fills his cup with hot porridge. "Murakoze," he says. Thank you.
The cook prepares the food you eat at school. A hungry child cannot think well, so the cook helps you learn too.
Ishimwe trips on a stone and his knee starts to bleed. Someone washes the cut, puts on a plaster, and lets him sit down for a while.
That is the nurse. The nurse cares for you when you are hurt or feeling sick.
Umutoni wants a story about animals. A man shows her the right shelf, writes her name in a book and says, "Bring it back next Friday."
He is the librarian. The librarian looks after the school books and lends them to you so you can practise reading.
Every morning a man opens the gate for you. Every evening he closes it. He watches who comes in and who goes out.
He is the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper keeps the school safe.
You arrive and the classroom floor is already swept. Someone came before you.
That is the cleaner. The cleaner keeps the school clean. You help her by keeping your own rubbish off the floor.
Here is a problem. Niyonzima's exercise book is full. There is no space left to write. Who should he ask?
Let us think it through, step by step:
Now try the same three steps on a new problem. Umutoni has finished the story book she borrowed. Who should she give it back to?
You see? First name what you need. Then name the person whose job it is.
Tip
To remember who is who, match the need to the person:
And there is one thank-you that works for all of them: greet them kindly every morning.
Say your answer out loud first, then tap Show answer to check.
Mugisha does not understand how to do sum number 4. Who should he ask?
Answer: his teacher. Explaining lessons and work is the teacher's job.
Keza feels hot and dizzy in the middle of the lesson. Where should she be taken?
Answer: to the nurse, who cares for learners who are sick or hurt.
Who leads the whole school, not just one class?
Answer: the headteacher.
Byiringiro wants to borrow a book about birds. Who will help him find one?
Answer: the librarian.
Name one way you can help the cleaner do her work.
Answer: put your rubbish in the bin. (Also fine: do not write on the walls, and wipe your muddy feet at the door.)
What you learned today
Quick check
Match each person to their job.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
