Pledge to educate rural India with crowdfunding project
A teacher from Falmouth, UK seeks crowdfunding to help change lives.
Britain was recently deemed the second highest rating country in terms of academic progress in Europe, and sixth in the world. In the wake of the furore caused by Michael Gove's recent proposal to ban American literature, which he has since denied, teachers new and more established have risen to rebuke his ludicrous Victorian style suggestions for cramming children's' heads with facts. The talk within schools is that teaching within the UK is becoming so assessment focused that many children are not being praised for their inquisitive minds and artistic, athletic and dramatic tendencies.
An outstanding teacher from Falmouth School in Cornwall is determined to do her bit for ending educational poverty by crowdfunding a visit to India this summer. Lizzie Waddling, an inspiring teacher of Expressive Arts and English will deliver teaching ideas and strategies to Indian teachers and schoolchildren, in order to improve their lives. Her crowdfunding page seeks to gain pledges from sponsors wishing to help out in this exciting project. In return, they will receive a postcard from India and gifts of various sizes, dependent on their contribution.
The UN’s 2015 Millennium Development Goals demand primary and secondary education for all; resulting in more children attending schools globally than ever before. Whilst this rise in education is indubitably going to benefit the future, it already stretches existing resources to breaking point. This coincides with the huge challenge of population growth. As countries work to meet this unprecedented explosion in demand, more and more highly-skilled teachers are needed across the globe. One good thing Gove is doing, whilst he may not realise it, is pushing outstanding teachers out into the world to teach outside of the UK's strict regime.
Lizzie remains passionate about the power of teaching and wishes to travel in order to expand possibilities for children across the world. Through delivering engaging, challenging lessons, which develop thinking skills and problem-solving skills for all students, Lizzie is committed to developing the future of students in the Indian village. She said "these students will grow up to lead development within their own communities and nations: being more equipped to drive forward locally owned, sustainable development to change and improve lives."
At this stage Lizzie plans to return to teach in Cornwall after her trip, but what Gove may not realise is that many other teachers are becoming disillusioned with the heavy administrative pressures of UK teaching and are seeking opportunities within the developing world.
To find out more about Lizzie's project or to pledge for your Indian postcard or gift set, please see Lizzie's crowdfunding page at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/Education-India
