Responsible Tourism

Education development South Africa – matching skills to need

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Highlights

We offer a service of integrity to thinking people - people who want to use their skills and experience to make a real difference and know how and where their money is spent. You will work with, not instead of local teachers empowering them example and best practice.

This project involves far more than teaching! The project currently involves 7 primary schools which formally provide education for children from the age of 4 to13 - from Reception to Grade 7. However, many children have their education interrupted for various socio-economic reasons - this results in classes where the ages of the children differ considerably from that of the official Grade. This is particualrly true of two of the schools where children up to the age of 17 are still attempting to achieve the required level for their primary school certificate, without which thay cannot attend high school. However, the majority of children are of the expected primary school age.

In post-apartheid South Africa, the education system is in a state of transition. Over-burdened teachers, whilst committed to change, struggle to adapt, and need support and training.

The schools involved in this project have been identified for their innovation and dynamism. Previous volunteers have observed that despite the deprivation, they are joyful places to work, where the vast majority of teachers are professional and committed, and the children are eager to learn.

 

Examples of Itinerary.

Every placement is tailor made matching volunteer skills and experience to community need - therefore there is no typical itinerary! You can be sure though that your input will be part of a considered and sustainable plan.

While South Africa is becoming one of the power houses of Africa, the apartheid legacy remains - one of the greatest challenges is the growing gap between rich and poor.

Though many of the township teachers are qualified and professional, the education system is in a state of transition. At the end of apartheid, South Africa had 17 different education systems, with different levels for different 'races', different training institutions and expectations for different teachers. It was an education system designed to maintain social divisiveness, prevent critical thinking, and was based on rote learning and minimal participation. Then, in 1994, it all changed - to an education system premised on democratic human rights, outcomes based, critical thinking and experiential learning - but still with the very same teachers, who have had to adapt radically and the disparity in resources between formerly white and township schools still exists. The education system is in transition, constant flux, and teachers operate with varying levels of skill and confidence.

Coupled with the challenges inherent in this change are the problems of large classes, social deprivation, HIV/ Aids and the resultant breakdown of the family. Teachers do their best under the circumstances, but often just need a bit of support and encouragement - and this is where you can make a meaningful contribution.

The schools' principals have identified the following needs:
• basic literacy in English is essential - for nearly all of these children, school is their first exposure to English, and is at least their second language
• quality educational materials are seldom available, and even if they are, schools struggle to organise and account for them
• lesson planning and teaching methodologies - these are fundamental areas of modern education in which many teachers have received no training
• Information Technology - whilst some schools have computers, computer literacy among teachers cannot be taken as read
• sports, arts and crafts practitioners are needed to work with the children to build confidence and enhance life-skills
• the nutritional needs of students can be addressed by programmes to establish food gardens
• principals are burdened with rampant bureaucracy - they have little training and even less support in appropriate administration

How this trip makes a difference

Each volunteer placement is tailor made to match volunteer skills to community need.'
our commitment to volunteers
you will work with, not instead of, local people
your skills will be matched to their needs
you will know where and how your money is used
your work will be part of a sustainable programme

our commitment to the community
we will ensure that volunteer placements are beneficial, not exploitative
our priority is to match community needs with volunteer skills
we will ensure that local people will not subsidise volunteers
our relationship is long-term and sustainable

.our commitment to volunteers and communities
rewarding, challenging and safe experiences for volunteers and local people alike, where at least 80% of volunteers' funds are spent in the host country

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