Teaching

As part of our efforts to support schools in GA West Municipality of Greater Accra Region and the Akuapim South Municipality of Ghana under our acclaimed Teach In Ghana (TIG) Project, VPWA engages volunteers to offset a shortfall of teachers in the local schools. Volunteer teachers are also employed to fill gaps in any specific subject areas that need support.
As a volunteer teacher in Ghana, you will receive assistance from the local school teachers with regards to lesson plans and teaching the curriculum. You will receive a Teaching Guide Book which gives you advice to assist you in your daily work with the children. You will also receive a timetable displaying when each class and subject is taught throughout the week.
Volunteers are asked to assist with lessons Monday to Friday (8:00am -2:30pm)
You do not need to be a certified teacher to be able to volunteer on this project.
Pre-School Teacher
Primary School Teacher
A volunteer is required to teach children below the age of five. This position involves teaching basic reading, numbers, music and drama etc.
A volunteer is required to teach children between the age of five and 12. This position involves teaching creative art, computing, English, French, mathematics and science.
Junior High School Teacher
Volunteers are required to teach Junior High School pupils between the age of 11 and 16. This position involves teaching computing, mathematics, English and French.
More About Teaching
Teach In Ghana (TIG) is a volunteer opportunity project of Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa(VPWA), a leading development and result oriented African based NGO that is spearheading the improvement of fallen standard of education in Ghana.
Over the years, the African educational system has been criticized by all and sundry but has seen little improvement. This is a threat to achieving the MDGs Goal two(2) which aims to ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. VPWA as a reputable civil society group has therefore taken it upon ourselves to do our bit to improve education. We want to improve the capacity of local teachers through promotion of best practices.
The engagement of volunteers to arrive in Ghana to teach in our schools which continues to see an unprecedented shortfall in teacher to child ratio, will help improve teaching and learning as volunteers who arrive continue to share best practices from their home countries.
While the government tries to help solve these problems, we believe the government cannot do it alone and we deem it appropriate to spear head an education for all campaign by recruiting committed volunteers to support in this endeavor.
Volunteer Requirements for Teaching
- At least 18 years or older
- Good spoken and written English
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong commitment to values and principles of volunteerism
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
- Ability to adjust to difficult living and working conditions
- Strong support and advocate for NGOs
- Should be able to work independently and in teams
- Ability to respect and abide by the rules of the placement activity
Further Details
Project Duration | No duration limit |
Dates | Placements available year round |
Cost of Living | Refer to Living Conditions and Cost section Visit www.xe.com for the current exchange rate in your local currency |
Deposit | Registration Fee of of 150 Euros required to secure placement Total Payment required 90 days before arrival |
Location | Greater Accra and Eastern Region of Ghana |
Nearest Airport | Accra Airport (ACC) – (also known as Kotoka International Airport) |
What’s Included in the Project Fees
Registration Fee (Non Refundable if you choose not to go)
- Application Review and processing
- Administration costs
- Visa Support letter
- 24/7 emergency support from VPWA
- Program marketing costs
- Pre-departure information
- Travel costs to VPWA programs
- VPWA Education & Health Fund and communication costs with volunteers
Program Fee
- Airport pick up
- Orientation
- Supervision
- Accommodation and evening meals during volunteer placement period
- In-country 24/7 volunteer support
- In-country administration costs
What’s Not Included
- Airfare to Ghana
- Visa Fees
- Vaccinations and immunizations (please speak to your local GP)
- Personal insurance (required)
- Personal spending
- In-country travel
Accomodation
Volunteers working on VPWA projects live in Greater Accra and Eastern Region. Please confirm your project location with our coordinator. Volunteers live in shared rooms with bunk beds. Couples are advised to inform us if they wish to share a room in advance. The rooms have comfortable beds with pillows and covers, so there is no need to bring sleeping bags. The volunteer apartment has a kitchen with fridge, as well as toilet and shower facilities.
Additional Services Based on Availability
- Basic TWI language orientation (Special Fees apply)
- Mobile phone SIM card number on arrival, so that you can inform family and friends of your number in Ghana
- Certificate of Recognition given to hardworking volunteers, as well as the opportunity to serve as VPWA ambassador in your city, college or community. You need to write a volunteer report covering the period of placement to qualify for the certificate which has the endorsed logo of the United Nations Global Compact.
Health and Safety
Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa. In the Global Peace Index it is ranked above both the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It provides a perfect introduction for first time volunteers to Africa. It has a democratic electoral process and a stable economy. Our team will ensure your health and safety at all times and you will have emergency support 24/7.
Flights
Volunteers must arrange their own flights to Accra Airport (ACC). Please be aware that you should communicate your arrival date and time to Volunteer Coordinator. The following airlines fly into Accra:
- Alitalia (Lagos, Rome-Fiumicino)
- British Airways (London-Heathrow)
- Delta Air Lines (New York-JFK)
- EgyptAir (Cairo)
- Emirates (Abidjan, Dubai)
- Ethiopian Airlines (Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Lome)
- Ghana International Airlines (London-Gatwick, Dusseldorf)
- Kenya Airways (Nairobi, Freetown, Monrovia)
- KLM (Amsterdam)
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Lagos)
- South African Airways (Johannesburg)
Visa
You must obtain a volunteer visa for travel to Ghana. Once you have secured your place on the project and made a deposit we will send you a letter confirming your placement for use in your Visa application.