UK teachers given opportunity in Ghana

Press Release - Tuesday 2nd May 2006

Teachers in the UK are being offered the opportunity to spend five weeks in a school in Ghana this autumn as participants in the Global Teachers Programme, a scheme that involves improving the education of children in Africa and giving British children a better understanding of global issues.

The GTP is run by international development charity Link Community Development (LCD) and is a challenging, rewarding and motivating professional development experience providing mutual benefit and two-way learning.

The opportunity for additional places has arisen this year because LCD found governors and schools were happy to release teachers from school during UK term time citing the excellent continuing professional development opportunities the GTP offers.

The placement in Ghana is only open to primary school teachers and is particularly attractive to headteachers as they are in the best position to take time off. In their absence deputy-heads would be able to act-up to the headteacher position giving them continuing professional development too.

Jane Fulford who participated in the Global Teachers Programme when the placement last took place in Ghana in 2001 said: "This was an amazing opportunity for me, both personally and in terms of career development. Working with colleagues in Ghana, with their large classes, few resources and little support, was a real challenge professionally. I learnt a great deal from them and my UK school benefited from my experience too."

The Ghana placement takes place in the Bosomtwe-Atwina-Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region, which is rich in cocoa and green vegetation. Teachers showed an interest in the placement in Ghana because it occurred during term time. Placements in Uganda, Malawi and South Africa occur during teachers' summer holidays.

Places for Malawi, South Africa and Uganda have been successfully filled for 2006, with 56 Global Teachers participating in the programme.

LCD works to improve the quality of education in Africa and raise awareness of development issues in the UK. LCD's education projects in Africa are run in partnership with the local departments of education. The GTP is supported by the HSBC Education Trust and the Department for International Development.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31st May. To find out more about the GTP and to apply for the placement in Ghana in 2006 please log on to www.lcd.org.uk or email globalteachers@lcd.org.uk or phone 020 7691 1818.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. For more information, photographs or interviews please call Ben Miller on 020-7691-1821 or email ben@lcd.org.uk.

2. Link Community Development (LCD) is a non-profit organisation working in South Africa, Ghana, Uganda and Malawi on long-term development projects, providing ongoing training and support to over 1,000 schools. LCD's patron is Archbishop Desmond Tutu and LCD is a registered charity in the UK. For more information, including how to link your school, visit www.lcd.org.uk.