Embargoed until 00:01 Saturday 15 March

VSO welcomes 50th anniversary pension boost for teachers volunteering in developing countries

International development charity VSO today (Saturday 15 March) welcomed the announcement by Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, of more support for education professionals who want to volunteer overseas. The charity hailed the announcement of £13 million to fund pension contributions for public sector workers whilst they volunteer as a strong endorsement of international volunteering.

Public servants who choose to share their skills and give their time to help some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in developing countries, currently miss out on pension contributions when they volunteer. The new fund, unveiled at VSO’s 50th anniversary celebration at London’s Royal Festival Hall, will ensure education professionals’ pension contributions are maintained whilst they are volunteering overseas.

Mark Goldring, Chief Executive of VSO said:

“This move is a strong and welcome endorsement by the Government of international volunteering. It recognises the critical contribution that education professionals can make to the fight against poverty through sharing their professional skills. It also acknowledges the huge benefits they then bring back to public service in the UK when they return with refined skills and a strong sense of personal and professional growth.“

Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development highlighted:

“Volunteering brings vital skills and energy to our efforts to tackle poverty in the developing world. And now the Government is providing more support and encouragement for those who have skills to share.

“Volunteering plays a valuable role in our society, not just in helping to reduce global poverty, but in the wealth of experience volunteers will bring back to the UK and into public service. That VSO is celebrating its 50th anniversary is a testament to the strength and importance of volunteering in our society.”

With 10,000 volunteers in 58 countries since 1958, education professionals have made up nearly a third of all VSO’s volunteer placements. Their contribution has changed to reflect shifting educational needs - from sending school leavers to teach in the 1950s to providing headteachers or education advisors today. Education volunteers have contributed to VSO’s positive footprint in developing countries since VSO’s inception:

• The very first volunteer, David Brown began work aged 18, in Sarawak in 1958, teaching at St Luke’s School in Simmanggang, at the request of the Bishop of Borneo.
• By the end of the 1960s, 715 volunteers in post were graduates teaching or qualified teachers, and 250 school leavers were teaching.
• After two thirds of Rwanda’s teachers were murdered or exiled during the genocide in 1994, the Rwandan Minister of Education asked VSO to open a programme to support the rebuilding of the destroyed education system. With the help of VSO volunteers the local teacher population is now growing and volunteers are increasingly focused on developing a world class education system.
• In 2002, VSO launched its first global education campaign – Valuing Teachers - to support grassroots teachers in developing countries.

Today education volunteers work towards ensuring that all children - including the most disadvantaged such as girls, those with disabilities, and children affected by HIV & AIDS - have access to good quality education in developing countries.

VSO volunteer Keith Mellor, a primary school teacher from Cheshire drew on his extensive experience to help tackle major problems and disparities in the quality of education in the Maldives. In the Maldives 33% of teachers untrained, and it is often difficult to persuade teachers to go and work in the least developed islands, where there is the greatest educational need. Keith has worked with primary teachers and head teachers, travelling from island to island to work with colleagues in nine different schools. He makes informal lesson observations to see how the school works, and then arranges a variety of workshops for the teachers, encouraging a participatory approach.

The teachers’ feedback shows that Keith’s hard work has been worth it. Fathuhulla Imran has recently completed his Advanced Certificate in Primary Teaching which was led by Keith.

Fathuhulla claims that his confidence has improved drastically: “I was very quiet before training, but now I have the confidence to stand up in front of a class and teach.” Fathuhulla is now sharing his newly acquired skills with other teachers in his school.

VSO is currently recruiting professionals with experience in primary, special educational needs, English language and heads and deputy heads.

To find out more about volunteering with VSO and the pension scheme go to: www.vso.org.uk/publicpensions or call 020 8780 7500.

ENDS

For further information please contact George Ames on: 020 7403 2230, george@forster.co.uk

Notes to Editors

• VSO is the world's leading independent international development organisation working through skilled volunteers around the world.
• Please visit www.vso.org.uk  
• All public service positions are eligible for the new pensions scheme. There are no minimum or maximum age restrictions. Volunteering positions must last between 6 and 24 months overseas.