Dec, 2006
Working in the Vinayak Shiksha Niketan English School is a wonderfully refreshing and rewarding experience. The school situated in Thimi, about half an hour (by taxi) east of Kathmandu and is one of a number of private schools in the Thimi precinct. The school has a student population of over 800 - many of whom are sponsored through NAFA. There are classes from Kindergarten to Grade 10. Subjects taught in the school are; English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Computing, Health and PE and Nepali (The national language). All classes except for Nepali are taught in English. The founder principal, Surendra Bikram Prajapati, along with his team of dedicated staff are very welcoming and supportive.

No previous teaching experience is a prerequisite but a tertiary level of education would be an advantage. The role of the volunteer teacher is to support and enrich the existing program. A range of approaches - one to one tutoring, small group work, team teaching and perhaps some inservice work - will be employed to achieve this aim.

The students are very fortunate that the school has a reasonable (although very limited) level of resourcing. There is a text book for all subjects, a small library and a mini computer lab. However, there are very limited opportunities to work on line.

The school operates 6 days a week but volunteers are only expected to work 5 days. As well, it is possible to break a longer practice with a trek or travel to other parts of Nepal.

Accommodation is full board (3 meals a day), either by home stay or living in a guest room in one of the school buildings. Cost is $US10 per day or $US60 per week.

It is expected that to be valuable experience, both educationally and culturally, for yourself and the school, you would volunteer for a minimum of 1 week.

Bill Whitting
Brisbane, Australia