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Media releases > VSO no longer recruiting newly qualified teachers
VSO has announced that it will no longer recruit newly qualified teachers for classroom vacancies in developing countries. The international development charity, which for almost 50 years has been synonymous with overseas volunteering opportunities for graduate teachers, today launches an urgent recruitment campaign calling on applications from over 350 head teachers, experienced primary teachers and those with education management skills.
This announcement marks the culmination of a growing trend towards senior volunteering. Five years ago just 5% of VSO's education placements included training and management responsibility. Today a typical volunteer works with colleagues in Ministries of Education, teacher training colleges and local education authorities on areas such as national quality standards, curriculum development, monitoring and evaluation, teacher training methodology and school management.
VSO's change in approach to education volunteering is in direct response to the Millennium Development Goal, which commits to ensuring all children of primary school age have access to quality education by 2015. While an increasing number of poor countries have committed to providing free primary schooling, many education systems were already suffering from years of under-investment, and development and expansion aggravated the issue of poor quality.
There is a real concern that children will vote with their feet and leave school unless standards are improved. Gordon Brown said last week that free education should not be at the expense of quality education and that education for all must become a global cause.
Lack of solid infrastructure at government and institutional level means the education received by millions of children is not relevant, of poor quality or badly delivered. VSO's significant history in education volunteering puts it in the unique position of being able to place volunteers in positions where they can use their expertise to build teachers confidence to tackle these issues.
Penny Lawrence, International Programmes Director at VSO commented:
"Anyone working in the UK education sector knows that curriculum relevance, the effectiveness of teacher support and training and the provision of resources has a profound impact on the quality of education a child receives. In developing countries, where access to education can literally be a matter of life or death, addressing these issues is crucial. We are urging teachers who are retiring or looking to take a career break to consider sharing their expertise as VSO volunteers".
January to March is traditionally the period when senior teachers resign and with 5,000 head teachers in England aged over 55 and approaching retirement, VSO is challenging individuals to consider how they can use their expertise to have a lasting impact on the quality of education children in poor countries receive. If VSO is to meet its commitments to overseas partners it must receive 372 applications by Easter.
To find out more about volunteering with VSO visit www.vso.org.uk/education or call +44 (0)20 8780 7500.
Fact file- VSO needs to receive applications from 372 head teachers and senior teachers by Easter to fulfil its commitments to its partners overseas.
- Volunteers work with Ministries of Education, local education authorities, teacher training colleges and teaching inspectorates.
- VSO volunteers work in areas such as national quality standards, curriculum development, monitoring and evaluation, teacher training methodology and school management.
- When VSO first began sending volunteers overseas in 1958 no formal teaching qualification was required. Graduates and school leavers who volunteered with VSO prior to establishing their careers include broadcaster Jon Snow, author Nicholas Evans and Chief Whip, Hilary Armstrong.
- VSO volunteers receive a living allowance, training, flights, accommodation, medical and health insurance, work permits and visas, national insurance contributions and pension contributions.
Editors' Notes
Contact the Press Office for:
- Interviews with serving and former VSO education volunteers
- Interviews with VSO staff members who can provide information on VSO, and insight into the role of volunteering in international development
- Recent photos and footage of VSO volunteers in action.
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