This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Teachers learn links to Malawi
22/03/2006
More teachers are queuing up to learn how they can build links between their schools and Malawi as part of the Executive's Schools Partnerships scheme.
A Scotland and Malawi seminar held in January was repeated in Edinburgh today because of demand from teachers interested in forging ties with the African country.
Dr Josephine Munthali, from Malawi, who currently works in Scotland and was one of the judges of last year's Scotland Schools Africa Challenge competition, was on hand to offer advice.
The seminar highlighted what schools can hope to achieve by engaging with Malawi, outlined how to go about it and identified organisations which can help.
Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown said:
"Scotland has historic links with Malawi and, in recent months, we have been building on these to develop a relationship which will be mutually beneficial for both countries.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Scottish youngsters to get involved, helping to bring their education to life. I hope today's event will open the door for even more schools to reap the benefits that partnership with Malawi can bring."
The event was also attended by representatives from the British Council, League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers, Link Community Development, Voluntary Services Overseas and the International Development Education Association for Scotland.
Scotland and Malawi signed a cooperation agreement in November last year which offers practical help to the African nation in areas such as health, education, civic governance and economic development.
In terms of education, the agreement pledges:
- To help build capacity in education by further developing teacher exchange programmes and supporting the development of training of trainers for local delivery
- To support the exchange of knowledge and skills by facilitating academic links and twinning initiatives between local government, schools and higher education institutions
- To explore how best to address access to and availability of quality education, with particular attention to remote and rural communities
- To initiate discussion on the provision of vocational education and training by encouraging the sharing of best practice and expertise and the development of links with Further Education
- To encourage equality in the participation of education by supporting the development of initiatives to empower vulnerable groups