‘In January 2012, twenty-five new volunteer teachers have taken up placements in schools across the Maldives. They have been well prepared for their roles, and were warmly received on the islands. They will be teaching a variety of subjects including mathematics, sciences, humanities, arts and computing. The Maldivian High Commission has already received some very positive feedback from the islanders of Kudahuvadhoo, regarding the volunteer teachers who are working there. So far, since the inception of the IVP in 2009, sixty-three volunteer teachers from UK have taken up one-year placements to teach Maldivian children across the islands. Last year, two volunteers extended their placements for a second year. In the early stages of the programme, eight volunteers returned to UK before completing their full year, but communications with the host schools and clearer expectations of the volunteers have improved immensely.’
Education
The International Volunteer Programme was established in partnership with Friends of Maldives (FOM) and run with the Ministry of Health and Family, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Maldives. This programme has been jeopardized since the illegal government took over on 7th February 2012. FOM can no longer support this programme, although it will continue to support individual volunteer teachers who have decided to stay to maintain their commitment to the children and the schools.