Primary teachers

School fees for primary education were abolished in Ethiopia in 2002 which helped primary enrolment rates rise dramatically. However, an already weak education system is struggling to cope with this demand. A high proportion of teachers are either untrained or inadequately trained and there’s a shortage of education materials. The poor quality of education has meant that 30% of students have dropped out before completing year one. VSO is working to support the National Education Sector Development Plan which aims to increase in-service and distant education for existing teachers, provide additional training for NQTs and to introduce new curricula which is student centred and integrated.

What does the role involve?

In this role you’ll be taking a ‘cluster approach’ working with a group of schools to develop and deliver new and refresher courses to primary school teachers to help improve their confidence and pedagogical skills. It’s a diverse role with varying responsibilities including guiding teachers and school managers in the planning and implementation of CPD. Helping to promote the concept of CPD and teachers ability to self initiate CPD tasks as well as improving the quality of teaching aids and display arrangements in the model schools.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll need to have a Bachelor Degree with a PGCE or a Bachelors Degree in Education with at least three years teaching experience (preferably primary). You’ll have experience of active learning; student centred teaching and continuous assessment. Experienced in classroom observation and educational action research you’ll have great interpersonal skills combined with a flexible and adaptable attitude. Experience of working in CPD is strongly desirable

And the rest...

The role’s for one year although it may be possible to extend. In exchange for your expertise we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We’ll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package include a living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more.

Rwanda’s education system suffered huge losses in qualified teachers during the 1994 genocide but the country is rebuilding its education infrastructure and has made remarkable progress since then. Rwanda is on its way to reaching the education millennium development goals with a primary school enrolment rate of over 90 per cent. But retention rates are poor with many students not attending school past primary level due to social exclusion and poor quality of education. In this role, you’ll be working to improve the quality of pre and in-service teacher education.
 

What does the role involve?

• Ensuring that the 11 Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) nationwide have functioning resource centres, which are stocked with resources to aid child-centred learning and which pre and in-service teachers can access.

• Providing training for TTC methodology tutors and TTC students (future primary school teachers) in active methods; making and using resources made from locally available materials and management of a resource centre.

• Providing support for UNICEFs ‘Child Friendly Schools’ in teacher training and resource use in districts where they fulfil a function as model schools for other schools in the vicinity.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll have a degree level qualification and a Primary Teaching qualification with a minimum of 18 months teaching experience in a primary or junior school OR a TEFL qualification with 2 years experience educating children. An ability to train teachers, conduct needs analyses and evaluate programmes is also needed. You’ll also have a working knowledge of French, and be an excellent communicator with first class presentation skills. Confidence and initiative will be key traits, and you’ll need to be prepared to problem solve, often in a poorly resourced environment.  

And the rest...

You’ll be working in Gisenyi which is 2km from the Rwanda/Democratic Republic of Congo border, not far from the picturesque shores of Lake Kivu and within easy access of the capital Kigali. You’ll have to be prepared to ride a motorbike to visit schools, normally 3-4 times a week so a level of physical fitness is required to cope with occasional rough roads.
 

Within West Africa, Ghana is considered to be an ‘island of peace and stability’. Since 2000, the country has experienced a sustained period of economic stability and has made steady progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

In addition to having one of the fastest poverty reduction rates in Africa, primary school enrolment has risen substantially, but there is still a great deal of work to be done. As a primary teacher trainer working in a cluster of schools in the Bongo district, you’ll develop and run an in-service teacher training programme for student teachers and promote child-centred learning methodologies.

What does the role involve?

• Developing and implementing a in-service teacher training programme
• Supporting the professional development of teachers through team teaching, lesson observation and feedback
• Working with trainee teachers to develop effective teaching resources and materials
• Encouraging the use of child-centred learning methodologies in the classroom

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be a qualified teacher with at least 3-5 years’ experience. You’ll have strong student centred and active learning methodologies and experience in mentoring other teachers. With strong leadership and communication skills, you’ll be creative, flexible and able to work in close partnership with colleagues. As you’ll be working alongside other volunteers and Ghanaian colleagues, there will be plenty of professional and personal support.

And the rest...

Ghana is located on North Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, bordering the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo. It’s a land of plains and low plateaus, covered by rainforests in the west and magnificent Lake Volta in the east. You’ll be based in Tumu, the district capital of Sissala East District. The town has about 10,000 inhabitants and is located in the Guinea Savannah zone. There are three banks and a daily market where you can buy food and other essential items. You’ll live in a two-bedroom self contained accommodation, about a kilometre from the college .

We’ll ask you to commit to 12-24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.

Despite its abundant natural resources, Nigeria remains one of the poorest countries in the world and an estimated 48.5 million people live on less than $1 a day. It is recognised by government that education is a key factor in reducing poverty. As a primary teacher trainer, you’ll make a direct contribution to improving the quality and relevance of education that children in Nigeria receive. Based in Kwara teacher training college you’ll work with trainee and serving teachers to work towards a more practical and child-centred approach to training.

What does the role involve?

• Identifying the training needs of teachers through class observations, providing feedback and organising relevant training
• Working with staff at the college to develop teaching materials and assessments
• Working with a cluster of schools to improve community participation in school management
• Improving teaching practice for students in the college

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll have a degree level qualification as well as a teaching qualification such as a PGCE. You’ll need at least three years’ experience in classroom teaching and applying child centered, interactive teaching methodologies. Experience of managing a curriculum area or department and mentoring other teachers would be a great advantage. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential for this role as is a flexible and adaptable approach and a willingness to deal with the unexpected!

And the rest...

Nigeria is a vibrant and diverse country with a fantastic mix of cultures and languages. It was recently rated the happiest nation in the world, and our serving volunteers would certainly support this. The college is just outside the state capital of Ilorin, where there are plenty of amenities and the stunning Kanji Lake National Parks are not far away.

We’ll ask you to commit to 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our support package includes a local living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.