Niamh to share skills in Papua New Guinea

MILTOWN Malbay teacher Niamh Quinn will shortly depart her post at Quilty National School to begin a one-year work placement in Papua New Guinea.
Niamh is volunteering with VSO, the international development charity that recruits volunteers and places them overseas to work in some of the world’s poorest countries. For the next year Niamh will be based at the Madang Teacher Training College in the town of Madang in Northern Papua New Guinea as a teacher-training advisor. She will be paid a local living allowance by VSO and will live close to the college.
Speaking about her trip, Niamh said, “I am really looking forward to the challenge that a new job and a new country will bring.
“Hopefully, my relatively short time in Papua New Guinea will make a difference to the educational needs of the region.”
The quality of education in Papua New Guinea is at a low level, especially in rural communities, as many children cannot attend school due to the need to work on the family farm.
The problem is also compounded by a lack of properly trained teachers in the country. Teaching techniques are currently outdated and charities such as VSO are working closely with the government of Papua New Guinea to ensure that by 2015 all children have access to free, quality primary education.
Niamh’s work at the teacher college will aim to strengthen the teaching methodologies in place and develop new teacher training courses.
The college currently caters for over 5,000 trainee teachers and Niamh will also visit local schools to observe and assist in the implementation of new education curriculums.
VSO recruit experienced professionals like Niamh to work long term in the areas of education, health, community development and business management. Currently, VSO volunteers are working in over 36 countries worldwide, serving some of the world’s poorest communities.
Director of VSO Ireland, Malcolm Quigley said, “VSO needs motivated people like Niamh to work overseas on sustainable volunteer programmes. In developing countries such as Papua New Guinea, some people are living on just $2 a day.
“Things we take for granted, like health and education services, are hard to access for marginalised people.”