206 kids in the class with just one teacher - yes, it's true!

EDUCATION = the passion of a teacher
I'm now in my 15th year as a principal and during this time I have always been consistently inspired and energised by these two things;

Firstly, I am always inspired by the children who I have the privilege of working alongside each and every day. Children are a joy and each precious individual is remarkable!

Secondly, I am always inspired by the teachers, my colleagues, who I work with. At my school (Claremont College, Sydney Australia) my staff team of teachers and support staff is nothing but brilliant. They are caring, hard-working, skilled, and dedicated in all they do. Most importantly, they are passionate about the learning, the safety, the wellbeing and growth of their students.

Worldwide, all teachers have complex and challenging roles. It is exhausting work. The work of a contemporary teacher is so much more than what many of us once experienced when we were students ourselves (that’s if you're older like me) ...if only the job was as easy as standing at a blackboard in front of 30 compliant children sitting at their desks.
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Over the years I've had the wonderful privilege of visiting many schools around the world. One thing that all schools worldwide have in common, are passionate teachers and passionate school support staff ...they are the lifeblood of a great school. Schools ultimately are all about relationships. In all of my travels, I guess I've never been quite so blown away by a teacher I met earlier this year in a local school in Mubende, a remote part of rural Uganda, close to the Congo border. She has 206 kids in her class ...and she is still smiling!

I honour this legendary teacher

I truly think that this teacher should receive world-wide recognition. Is there an international teaching award that we can nominate her for? (and I don't even know her name).

On the day I visited this teacher's Grade 1 classroom she had 206 students present on the roll (and some kids were absent). Some of the students could not literally fit into the classroom space. This teacher told me that she loves her job ... “but it does get challenging at times” she said. You bet it would be challenging! - this teacher is a legend (and so are all the other teachers at this same school, with most classes sizes over 150 children). Here's an 18 second movie file showing the classroom. In it the kids are welcoming me. It's beautiful but check how cramped this classroom is!

click link here - 'You are Welcome'  

The Project Help teachers in Northern India
At Project Help India, our seven centres employ 11 teachers and support staff.

​Meet Mrs Sushila Charles who works with slum kids in Kotdwara. She is a remarkable woman and another inspiring teacher. While her personal life is not easy, she gives everything that is humanly possible to support the academic growth and to care for the vulnerable children in her class. Here is a link to her powerful and inspiring story. Sushila's Story Here  

One of the reasons why we have been able to set up our seven centres is because wages and costs are comparatively very low to Australia and elsewhere. Sushila’s salary is approximately $100 a month, and with this, she supports her husband and 2 children. This is also why Project Help India relies on the generosity of others. Would you consider making an annual tax deductible donation of $1200 to cover the salary of one of our teachers? Details for making a donation can be found easily at www.projecthelpindia.co. You can message me if you would like to talk to me about how you can help OR if you have a suggestion for how we can encourage the teachers in Mubende in Uganda, and nominate them all for an award (I am serious!).

Here I am with my wife Rowena, with Sushila and her students in the Kotdwara slums. We were there in February this year (22).