Presently Tops Learning Systems works with children and teachers in two countries; Ghana and the UK. We run children education and women empowerment programs in two countries.
1. Promote Education
All over the world, concerned people agree that the best way to a good quality life is through Education. Tops Learning Systems is helping to transform the life chances of children and young people aged 8 to 17 years in the UK and Ghana through quality education, sports and mentorship. Majority of the charity’s service users are from less affluent backgrounds. Our activities are:
~ After school remedial program
~ Educational enrichment Activities
~ Family Support
• After-School Remedial Education Program - The charity provides free tuition in English, Math and Science to improve school grades and educational attainment of children and young people through after school remedial education program and enrichment activities. We partner with Lorraine’s Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Foundation to make sure that young people suffering from sickle cell who constantly miss out on school when affected are supported with extra classes. We run summer programmes and weekend activities where children take part in grassroots sports and outdoor activities
• Enrichment Activities - The charity provides free tuition in English, Math and Science to improve school grades and educational attainment of children and young people through after school remedial education program and enrichment activities. We partner with Lorraine’s Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Foundation to make sure that young people suffering from sickle cell who constantly miss out on school when affected are supported with extra classes. We run summer programmes and weekend activities where children take part in grassroots sports and outdoor activities
• Family Support - The education of all children is the responsibility of parents, community and the nation. Tops makes sure that the family is engaged in the education of their children. The charity provides education packs for parents to support their children’s home schooling, advocate for school places for children and help young people to find school and college places. We also hold regular. community workshops on topics, family planning, parenting skills, conflict resolution, substance abuse, nutrition and hygiene to improve the lives of parents and community members.
2. Mentorship &Youth Programmes
Tops Learning Systems provides assistance to young people in Essex to improve prospects for individual’s achievement and also contribute to the long term stability and safety of the community. The charity helps disadvantaged young people with:
~ Employment Training
~ Mentorship
~ Themed Workshops
• Employment Training - Due to the shrinking pool of unskilled entry-level job openings as well the growing sophistication and knowledge required by today’s labour market, it has become increasingly important for our young people to have assistance in their effort to find long-term stable employment. Tops Learning Systems provides training for employment for youth ages 16 to 24 who are not attending school, not employed and not rerolled in any training or supportive programme. The training includes CV writing, interviewing techniques, job search and communication skills. These young people are supported by dedicated volunteers.
• Mentorship -
is Tops Learning Systems way of help young people to attain their potential though nurtured relationships. The charity aims to steer young people aged 12 to 18 years growing up in impoverished and socially isolated lone parent families from anti-social behaviour, violence and crime.
Mentors build long term, enduring and lasting relationships with young people, helping them to overcome challenges in and out of school and raise aspirations they need to achieve their potential.
Mentors focus on providing young people with one-to-one holistic support, encouraging involvement in recreational and academic enrichment activities. They also build a list of relevant interventions, coordinate referrals and broker partnership with activity providers to benefit the young person. The nurturing and enduring friendship help to lay strong foundations for the young person’s emotional health.
• Themed Workshops - is a way of giving young people a voice in the communities they live in. Experienced volunteers deliver and lead issue-based workshops looking at topics such as healthy eating, anger management, drugs and alcohol, knife crime and gun violence. The charity partners with parents and other community groups to provide vital links for support between lone parents, their children and the wider community.
3. Women Empowerment
Tops Learning Systems empowers women from rural communities in the Volta Region of Ghana with training, skills and resources they need to stand on their own and take care of their families. Our programs to empower women include:
~ Girl’s education
~ Skills Training
~ Employment opportunities
~ Entrepreneurship
• Girls Education -
In many African communities, the education of girls are shaded in grey. When we remember John Agree of Blessed memory, girls’ education should be paramount. An educated girls lightens up a family, improves community relations and makes the world a better place.
Women we support come from very poor backgrounds, disadvantaged and vulnerable single mothers with children. Majority are experiencing poverty which prevents them from providing basic necessities for their children including sending them to school.
In many cases it is the girl child who suffers. For lack of education, most women are in bondage to their male counterparts.
• Skills Training - Tops programmes help women to gain good skills in home management through relevant training
• Employment opportunities - Tops provides opportunities for girls in secondary schools to meet with women in development. This helps to widen their horizon and opens their eyes to the many opportunities they have as educated ladies.
• Entrepreneurship -
Women are directed to learn some trade of their choice and/or set up their own businesses to earn decent income, break the cycle of poverty and lead fulfilling ways. Long standing dedicated volunteers work with women 1-2-1 all the way until they stand on their feet.
An educated woman is an asset to the family, community and the nation. This is why the charity is committed to advocating for girl children to attend and remain in school, learn and become responsible citizens. We give girls opportunities to overcome difficulties their mothers experience and the chance to excel in life.
4. Hands-on Science & Math
TOPS Learning Systems has developed an innovative 100 hands-on activity lesson program for children to learn science and math through play processes. All the activity-lessons depend on 15 simple local and recycled materials found in any home. The programme:
~ Inspire children to love science
~ Support teachers to impact science through play
~ SMATGirls
Using inexpensive materials like paper clips, cellophane tape, thread, aluminum foil, pairs of scissors, etc., children follow simple step-by-step instructions and illustrations to create their own equipment which they use to do hands-on activities in science and math.
Children experience interesting results that excite and inspire them to science and math and the easy nature of these subjects. Children learn to observe, question, experiment, predict, evaluate and communicate. They learn science by doing science! Just as real scientists do.
Tops Learning Systems is passionate about girls in science and technology
TOPS - UNITED KINGDOM
Educational enrichment and support for children and young people
Tops Learning Systems is helping and supporting children and young people aged 5 to 19 years to succeed in education, especially in the areas of science, math and technology.
We are working with voluntary organizations, community groups and charities to support disadvantaged children they serve during Saturday supplementary classes, holiday programs and summer activities. We lead children through playtime processes and using materials they are familiar with to do interesting science and math activities to acquire relevant skills which they can use to improve their lives.
Some of the organizations we are working with are the Organization for Research on Eweland, Noviha UK and Sickle Cell and Lorraine Foundation of Sickle Cell and Thalassemia.
Youth Programs & Mentoring
Tops Learning Systems prepares young people, especially those from BME communities for the world of work.
Due to the shrinking pool of unskilled entry level job openings, as well as the growing sophistication and knowledge required by today’s labor market, it has become increasingly important for our young people to have assistance in their efforts to find long term stable employment. Many young adults have often received insufficient support at school or at home to prepare them for gainful employment.
Tops Learning Systems organizes workshops and seminars to train young people in CV writing, completing application forms, interviewing techniques and Information Technology.
TOPS - GHANA
Hands-On Science and Math Education Program
Tops Learning Systems supports teachers to use practical, play processes and inquiry methods in teaching science and math to children. This helps children to enjoy learning and doing science and math using materials they are familiar with in the home.
This is an outreach program to Ghanaian primary schools (age 6 to 12) introducing new ways of teaching and learning science and math to teachers and children. TOPS is invited to attend workshops, seminars and conferences organised by educational bodies like the Ghana Association of Science Teachers (GAST) Ghana Mathematics Association (MAG) The Science Unit, District and Regional Education offices to show teachers how they can engage children effectively in practical, interactive and hands-on science and math which they enjoy.
At these workshops volunteers from TOPS direct teachers on the use of Tops model lessons to excite, inspire and encourage children to learn science and math and how they also can turn other topics in .
Girls in Science & Technology (SMATGirls)
This is a yearly residential program for girls aged 10 to 15 years in primary and Junior High schools in Ghana. It is a 6 week, “Girls in Science and Math” program run during the long vacations to inspire 50 selected girls from various backgrounds to become interested in studying science and math.
Trained volunteers and gender activists conduct science, math and technology clinics and other activities in science and math that inspire the interest of these girls in these subjects.
The girls visit science departments and manufacturing industries to see science in practice, meet with women scientists’ role models and engage in all kinds of activities that show them the fun, easy and interesting nature of science and that they as girls can easily do science. We are seeing higher numbers of clinic participants opting to study science and math at secondary levels.