Mitrataa signs MOU with CSU in Australia to take our teacher training projects to the next level

We are extremely excited to announce that we have signed an MOU with Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Australia as the next phase in our teacher training program. CSU is one of Australia’s leading universities in teacher training and the first phase of our partnership is to host student teachers from Australia to complete a part of their practical training at our model school in Kathmandu, Riviera. A group of 13 student teachers from Australia will spend 2 weeks in Riviera in November this year. At the same time, they will be working on a professional development program for our Riviera and other Mitrataa teachers to brainstorm some of the core issues we face in education in Nepal – assessment, strengths based teaching, maths, learning in a second language.

One of the greatest benefits of this partnership is that the first phase puts our teachers in Nepal in the position of the “experts” or more experienced teachers. This is in line with Mitrataa’s approach of trying to create mutually beneficial relationships which encourage the Nepalis rather than forcing them into positions of seeing foreigners as the experts and depending on them for knowledge and money.

We also hope to develop some teacher training certifications with CSU so that the training we provide in Nepal through Mitrataa’s programs will provide a recognised qualification for teachers in Nepal. Most Nepali teachers have never undertaken any formal training so providing them with a recognised qualification will help increase their professionalism.

This partnership has so much potential and we are really looking forward to working with the team at CSU to explore the opportunities.

Thanks so much to Graham Tyson, a wonderful Mitrataa supporter and head of our Rotary partnership program, for the introduction; to Pam Gibbons for coming to Kathmandu to discuss how this could work; to Margaret Hamilton for her incredible support in getting this organised; and to Trisha Poole who will be leading the group of student teachers to Nepal in November.

See report in the Western Advocate for more information and a photo!

http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/134131/student-teachers-help-underprivileged-kids/