Teacher whose pupils came 12 miles by foot

Time in Rwanda changed my life – Wick woman

A teacher has described the life-changing experience of working with children in disadvantaged countries, and encouraged others to broaden their horizons.

Caitlin Morrison, who works in Wick, was talking about Global Learning Partnerships (GLP), a project that arranges placements for teachers in environments radically different to their own.

Ms Morrison explained the impact educating children in Rwanda had on her.

She said: “There were children in Rwanda who walked 12 miles to school and back, meaning they often had to leave home at 3am to arrive at school on time.

“The dedication to getting an education was so impressive.

“The country, the people and the culture make the placement so worth it. People’s teaching practice will improve in leaps and bounds.

“And teachers will also make lifelong friends and colleagues.”

The scheme has provided 86 Scotland-based educators with a range of learning experiences far from their homeland since 2012.

Jill Callander, probationer mentor at Aberdeenshire Council, was part of the original group and is now a team leader.

She said: “GLP is the best activity I have experienced in my career and has had the biggest impact on both my professional and home lives.

“It immediately opens you to opportunities, and collaboration with colleagues from across primary and secondary, as well as other educational sectors.”

More than 20 new teachers are being invited to join the next trip, which will include a month in Rwanda or Uganda next year.

GLP works with ethical local organisations IEE Rwanda and Redearth Education to help develop the skills of education professionals in host countries.

Through communitybased placements, it helps the sharing of knowledge, ideas and best practice to support improvements in teaching and learning.

The programme’s manager, Georgea Hughes, said: “Meaningful global education is essential for the prosperity of our planet.”

Search “GLP Scotland” for and more information. Applications close on January 11.

“The dedication to getting an education was so impressive”

TEACHER’S PETS: Caitlin Morrison’s time teaching in Rwanda through Global Learning Partnerships was “so worth it”, she says