VSO puts out urgent call for volunteer teachers
08/01/2010 12:00:00
As schools re-open after the Christmas break, a major recruitment drive for teachers has been launched in Ireland by VSO, (Voluntary Service Overseas), the largest independent volunteer placement agency in the world. Expressing concern about the current shortage of Irish volunteer primary school teachers, VSO has moved to reassure teachers that pension, PRSI and increments are covered while they serve in developing countries and that their jobs will still be there when they return to Ireland.
VSO Ireland Director, Malcolm Quigley, said that there had been a significant reduction in the number of primary school teachers enquiring about volunteering, in marked contrast to other sectors where applications have risen sharply in response to the recession. Until this year, about two-thirds of all applications came from teachers. This year it is down to a quarter, with the balance coming from skilled people in the health and business sectors.
Jobs and benfits remain secure back home
“We know that teachers by choosing teaching as a profession have high levels of altruism”, he said. “However, we also know that, in these challenging times economically, many have fears about job security when deciding whether to volunteer abroad. They should have no such worries as their jobs and benefits remain in place and the experience they gain is seen as a good career move”, he added.
Mr Quigley said that VSO is seeking teachers with at least three years experience to serve in Africa and Asia for a period of two years. He also said that retiring or retired teachers are in particularly high demand because of their expertise. “Irish volunteer teachers train local teachers who then go on to train other teachers in techniques which have made class rooms in developing countries less didactic and more interactive,” he said. “That in turn has led to a decrease in pupil drop-out rates, and a big increase in teacher motivation in countries like Ethiopia, for example.”
Mr Quigley stressed that becoming a VSO volunteer is not about taking time-out. “Research by the Institute of Education shows that teachers who have volunteered with VSO come back refreshed, more motivated, more resourceful, more flexible and more confident. All refer to the richness of their experience overseas and how it has helped them to be more understanding of different cultures and how to be resourceful with few resources”.
“Education is VSO’s biggest programme area because we believe that it is the most powerful weapon we can use to change our world”, said Mr Quigley. “It for this reason that we have launched this call for education professionals to help us roll out education development programmes across Africa and Asia.”
Volunteers are paid a local salary and VSO covers flights, insurance, vaccinations, training, medical insurance and accommodation.
It costs €22,000 to send a volunteer overseas for one year. That’s why VSO needs donations all the time, to supplement volunteer placements.
