Secondary teachers

Uganda’s total population is approximately 28 million, with ten per cent of the population estimated to have a disability. People with disabilities in Uganda are amongst the most vulnerable in society with women and girls being particularly disadvantaged and discriminated against as a result of both their disability and their gender.  Disability leads to social and economic disadvantages, denial of rights, and limited opportunities to play a part in community life. 

VSO is working with local and national institutions to strengthen people with disabilities’ capacity to address some of the key factors and challenges faced in education.  This role will focus on improving education services to disadvantaged children in Uganda. 

As a Maths Teacher Trainer, you will work with a government teacher training Institution, Bushenyi Primary Teachers’ College, to help raise teaching standards and contribute to improving access and quality of education for marginalised children, and help meet the education needs of people with disabilities. English is the official language used in public places and most people throughout the country understand a little English. 

What does the role involve?

• Training student-teachers in mathematics, working closely with the Head of Maths Department
• Taking a leading role in advocating for disability/special education needs issues in the college
• Helping to set up a resource centre
• Helping with library services, identifying suitable reading materials, and assisting students with reading skills
• Facilitation of tutors in updating their teaching methodology
• Producing instructional material
• Supervising student teachers during or on their school practice.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll need a degree in education with a special focus in Maths with at least three years' teachers' experience, and a solid background and experience in teacher training. You’ll also have excellent knowledge of education service delivery systems, teacher support and supervision. Skills in counselling and career guidance would be an advantage.

You’ll be practical and good at problem-solving, as well as creative and resourceful in an environment where resources are limited. You will have excellent communications and interpersonal skills and a strong team-building approach, as you will be working with a variety of  people. You will need to be flexible and adaptable to working in a different working environment and culture.

And the rest...

Uganda is a small, landlocked country located almost in the centre of Africa on the North West shore of Lake Victoria. It straddles the equator and is bordered in the East by Kenya, Sudan in the North, Zaire in the West and Rwanda and Tanzania in the South. Most of Uganda lies at an altitude of between 900m and 1500m, giving Uganda a pleasant climate varying very little throughout the year with an average temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius.  Uganda offers a variety of contrasting scenery with rivers, mountains, rainforests and lakes

Bushenyi is an hour drive west of Mbarara town and the largest town in Western Uganda.  Located five-six hours’ distance from Bushenyi to Kampala, Bushenyi district is 1,300 m above sea level and experiences a high amount of rainfall due to its altitude.  The temperature is very pleasant for most of the year ranging between 15 - 30 degrees celsius.  Vegetation is lush and includes a multitude of short grass, bush in lowlands and grass thickets.  There are two seasons, rainy and dry, spread out through the year as follows: January - February (dry), March - June (rainy), July - September (dry), October - December (rainy). Bushenyi district can be referred as the `gateway' to the most beautiful region of Uganda.   It opens the route to a region with a diversity of vegetation and animal life.  Much of the region’s spectacular earth features, including Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzoris, are the outcome of the long history of successive earth movements and have moulded the landscape.  Further South are the volcanic mountains of Bufumbira, crater lakes, hot springs and geysers and a variety of volcanic landforms.

On the border with Rwanda are the Bufumbira Mountains, which rise to a height of 4100 metres above sea level.  It has three peaks: Muhavura, Mgahiga and Sabino – forming Uganda’s boundary with Rwanda.  The mountains (especially Mgahiga peak) are the home of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees and are a popular attraction.

The largest national park in the country, Queen Elizabeth National Park, is a 45-minute drive where you can watch the spectacular birds, animals and reptiles. Kabale is an hour’s drive with spectacular volcanoes, green mountains, the thick forests of Bwindi, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas.  There is a variety of food locally available including a range of vegetables, fruit and cereals, European items and drinks.

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 placemen ends.

The reform of education is among the highest priorities of the new Government of independent Namibia and aims to provide everyone with a basic level of education and training to ensure further academic opportunities. VSO is supporting educationally disadvantaged regions in Namibia to provide quality education, particularly at Junior Secondary and IGCSE levels. VSO is committed to provide learners with access to both qualified teachers and quality teaching.

Namibia is divided into 13 educational regions, and there are insufficient numbers of girls and boys in the Caprivi Region qualifying for study at higher education level in Science and Mathematics. Low achievement at junior secondary levels has been identified and is being addressed by improving teaching standards amongst Mathematics teachers. As a Mathematics Teacher Trainer, you’ll be working with the Caprivi Regional Education Authority in the town of Katima Mulilo in the regional capital of the Caprivi Region. You’ll be helping to raise teaching standards in Mathematics in Katima Mulilo's schools.

English is the official language and is the medium of instruction in Namibian schools. The staff at the school will speak enough English to make it possible to work only in that language.

What does the role involve?

• Assess the needs of Mathematics teachers in the region and develop a training programme in practical and learner-centred approaches
• Support the teaching practice of Mathematics at schools in Katima Mulilo
• Contribute to local and national teacher training initiatives
• Contribute in other ways to the life of the schools and local community, such as promoting the development of key life skills among learners.
  
  

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll need a degree and teaching qualifications with at least two years’ teaching experience and experience of teacher training or coaching.  You will need a positive outlook and must be realistic about what can be achieved with learners from a disadvantaged education background. You’ll be a confident self-starter and be able to take a proactive approach to your role.  Working well with other teachers in a professional and supportive manner is essential, as is excellent communications and interpersonal skills. You will need to be flexible and adaptable to working in a different working environment and culture.

And the rest...

Caprivi region is the most North Easterly part of Namibia and is a narrow strip of land running between Zambia and Botswana and almost reaching Zimbabwe, at Victoria Falls, at its Eastern-most tip. The Zambezi River lies to the north of Eastern Caprivi and forms the border between Namibia and Botswana. The western boundary of Caprivi region is formed by the Okavango River, which never reaches the sea, disappearing into the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.

Caprivi is a continuation of the Sandveld plain of the Kalahari and vegetation is that of woodland savannah to the west and humid savannah to the east. Maize, sorghum, millet, rice and melons are among the crops grown in Caprivi and bullocks are commonly used for ploughing. The western strip between the Okavango and Mashi rivers is a formal game reserve with large numbers of elephants, antelope, large predators and many beautiful birds.

There are three seasons in Caprivi: it is hot and wet from December to April (Autumn); Winter usually lasts until September and the weather is rather like an English summer except that night temperatures can drop as low as zero degrees celsius.  The summer from September to December is very hot and humid and temperatures can rise as high as 40 degrees celsius. The area has a higher rainfall than the rest of Namibia and is by far the most lush part of the country. Katima Mulilo is the capital of the Caprivi region and is remote from the rest of Namibia. The nearest town, Rundu, is 520 km to the west and the capital city of Namibia.  Windhoek is 1,250 km from Katima. Major towns in Zimbabwe and Botswana are in fact closer than those in Namibia. There is a small expatriate population in Katima working with other organisations. There are two supermarkets in Katima and several shops where most food items and household goods can be bought.

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 placemen ends.