Africa 2005: UK Teachers make a difference

NEWS RELEASE 15th July 2005: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In the last few weeks all eyes have been on the powerful G8 word leaders and their decisions regarding aid, trade and debt relief for Africa. Many teachers and headteachers in the UK want to know how they too can make a difference in this remarkable year. This summer 38 of them have taken the plunge and are giving up their precious summer holidays to work in schools in Africa. But this is no ordinary busman's holiday. What these very special 'Global Teachers' all have in common is a real commitment to making a difference, not only to educational opportunities for children in Africa, but also to their own pupils' understanding of the diversity, brilliance and challenges of this amazing continent. As participants in the unique Global Teachers Programme they are flying out to South Africa and Uganda to work in rural schools for five weeks, to share their skills and learn a lot in the process.

The programme is run by development agency Link Community Development and made possible by support from the HSBC Education Trust. Dame Mary Richardson, Chief Executive of the trust, has praised the Global Teachers' commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for children in both Africa and the UK, and commented: "We are proud to support this ground-breaking programme that will make a difference to the education of thousands of children in Africa and which inspires and re-motivates all the teachers involved."

Link Community Development runs ongoing education programmes in South Africa and Uganda focused on improving school management, leadership, resourcing, teaching and ultimately students' learning. Each Global Teacher will be based in one of their project schools to share skills with counterparts. Their contribution to the host school's development will be highly valued by the school community, who would rarely otherwise receive such intensive and dedicated professional support. The experience also provides the Global Teachers with a unique opportunity to develop consultancy, peer support and training skills, as well as their understanding of leadership, staff development, policy development and change management. They will be hosted within the local community and supported throughout by Link Community Development staff.

Jonathan Parr, Gifted and Talented Coordinator at Horfield Church of England Primary School in Bristol, who will be going to Kahaara Primary School in the Masindi District of Uganda, said, "As soon as I heard about the Global Teachers Programme, I knew this was a unique opportunity for personal and professional development which I did not want to miss out on. With just one week to go, and following some great training, I just can't wait to meet my new colleagues at Kahaara Primary School and work with them to improve the education they provide for their children."

On their return to the UK the Global Teachers will join the HSBC Education Trust's global network of Fellows. They will spend a year or more using their placement experiences to bring Africa into the classroom and global development issues to life. Many plan to set up a long-lasting link between their placement school and their own school, as a way to enhance global citizenship teaching and learning. All will bring back their new professional skills to their jobs.

Linda Quinn, Community Project Manager at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College in Islington, London, going to Magoba Junior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, said "I am very excited about the prospect of living and working in a new and different community in Magoba. I hope I will contribute something, and am sure I will learn lots to share on my return."

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Supplementary notes:

1. The Global Teachers Programme:
The Global Teachers Programme is being run by the charity Link Community Development and will involve 120 UK teachers and headteachers by 2007 in a unique international professional development experience. The programme is an extension and development of the previous, highly successful, Global Teachers Millennium Awards scheme (2001-2004) and is being made possible by a grant from the HSBC Education Trust. The current round of 38 Global Teachers will depart in groups from Heathrow on 16th, 21st and 23rd July and return at the end of August. More information, including a downloadable report containing statistics and case studies from previous rounds of Global Teachers, can be found on www.lcd.org.uk.

2. Link Community Development:
Link Community Development is a group of partner NGOs which runs education programmes in South Africa, Ghana and Uganda, with the aim of improving the life-chances of children in some of the poorest areas. All LCD's work is in partnership with local departments of education and seeks to bring about long-lasting improvements to the education system. LCD's projects are impacting on over 500 schools in Africa. LCD also operates in the UK to raise funds, to facilitate partnerships between teachers and schools in the UK and Africa, and to increase awareness of global development issues. LCD enjoys the support of Archbishop Desmond Tutu as their patron and The Times Educational Supplement as their media partner.

3. HSBC Education Trust:
The HSBC Education Trust is the main funder of the Global Teachers Programme. Their support has ensured that the programme will run for a further year. All Global Teachers who successfully complete the programme become HSBC Fellows and join the HSBC global network of Scholars and Fellows. HSBC supports a wide range of projects and initiatives throughout the communities where they do business. Their aim is to help raise the academic achievement of young people and improve their vocational skills with formal and informal learning. In particular, HSBC believes that supporting primary and secondary education, especially for the disadvantaged, is essential for the well-being and prosperity of us all.

4. Other programme partners:
Partnership funding for the Global Teachers Programme is being provided by the Department for International Development, the Scottish Executive Education Department and the Department for Education and Skills. The London Challenge and the Educational Institute of Scotland are also supporting the programme by providing bursaries for teachers and headteachers to help fund the £1,000 fee which participants are required to pay. The Link Community Development projects in which the Global Teachers are based in South Africa and Uganda are funded by the Big Lottery Fund (formerly the Community Fund) and the Nuffield Foundation.

Peter Peacock, Minister for Education and Young People, Scotland, said:

"Sharing best practice through programmes such as this is of great benefit to both countries involved."

Professor Tim Brighouse, Commissioner for London Schools, said:

"The programme will offer London teachers a professional development opportunity that challenges their ideas, creativity and resourcefulness."

5. Contact:
Anna Colquhoun or Anna Campbell
Link Community Development
Unit 39 Kings Exchange Business Village, Tileyard Road, London N7 9AH.
Tel: 020 7681 8763
Fax: 020 7209 4167
Email: globalteachers@lcd.org.uk
Website: www.lcd.org.uk

We can provide details of Global Teachers across the UK, photographs and opportunities for interviews with Global Teachers, Link Community Development staff and the HSBC Education Trust before, during and after the placements in Africa.

UK teachers and headteachers wishing to apply for a place in the Global Teachers Programme next year should use the same contact details. The closing date for the next round will be in January 2006.