Primary teachers

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.

VSO works on the Thai-Burma border with refugee and migrant Burmese people and Thai host communities. Its aim is to ensure all children and young people in the refugee camps along the border are able to gain an education, for example by supporting organisations working with young people with special educational needs. As a primary teacher trainer working with the World Education Consortium, you’ll work to improve the quality of education for disadvantaged children by coaching a team of local teacher trainers in child-centred, inclusive teaching methodology.

What does the role involve?

• Developing and delivering pre-service and in-service training for a team of local teacher trainers
• Delivering model lessons, team teaching and participating in lesson planning sessions with teacher trainers
• Working closely with the teacher trainers to develop child-centred teaching methodology
• Supporting teacher trainers in devising inclusion strategies for the classroom

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be a qualified primary teacher with at least five year’s classroom experience. Teacher training/mentoring experience is essential, as is a good knowledge of child-centred approaches to inclusive education. Realistic expectations, the ability to adapt and work effectively cross culturally are crucial. Cultural sensitivity, patience and a sense of humour are also vital for all VSO volunteers. You’ll be open to learning the basics of both Thai and Burmese – we will provide training – as this will contribute enormously to the quality of your placement.