Teaching at a primary school

Your assignment locations and the goals of your project work
All elementary schools participating in the project are located in the capital city of Accra. As a volunteer, you will be assigned to either a public or private school, depending on capacity. Some of the students come from complicated family backgrounds or socially disadvantaged families. The schools vary in terms of equipment. Most facilities lack school supplies and do not have enough teachers.

Some schools have over 500 students. It is also possible that your assignment will include a preschool, kindergarten, or secondary school. Depending on the size of the school, the number of students in each class can vary between approximately 15 and 35.

The aim of the project is to relieve the local education system with your help. Your commitment will enable teachers to give each student more individual attention and respond to their specific needs.

Your tasks at a school in Ghana
At your primary school in Ghana, you will have the opportunity to take on many different tasks. You will help the teachers look after the students, prepare teaching materials, and assist in designing lessons. Above all, however, you will spend time with the children and give them your attention. In this way, you will support them individually, something that is often not possible in Ghanaian schools.

You will prepare lessons together with the local teachers and you will also be able to contribute your own ideas. Depending on your previous knowledge and skills, you may also be able to teach students independently. However, you will always have a contact person to support you.

If you find that you are particularly suited to a certain activity, talk to a teacher in charge. Together, you will decide where you can be most productive.

Your everyday work at the school
You will usually work from Monday to Friday. The exact working hours depend on your placement. Your day will normally start at around 8:00 a.m. and end in the early afternoon between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. You will of course have a lunch break in between, which you can spend as you wish.