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Schools in Madurai, Southern India

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A number of schools in the area around Madurai in southern India have asked for volunteers for between 3 to 5 months. Ages of children vary from nursery age to matriculation and most schools are looking for people to improve the level of English, though maths and French have also been requested. No formal teaching qualification is required. Most are looking for women volunteers and promise good care, accommodation and transport to the school. Some of this will have to be paid for and this will need to be negotiated.

We have already sent six volunteers and all have given a positive response. (Read volunteers stories>) There has been good care and volunteers have been helped to see local cultural and other tourist sites. Accommodation with full board is available for around £75 per month and the standard of this has been appreciated. 

These are church-related schools approved and recognised by the Tamil Nadu government. Examples include:

Dominic Savio Kidsland, Madurai

A nursery and primary school for 150 children aged 3 - 9, average of 20 in a class, open 9.30 am - 3.00pm, looking for a young woman volunteer aged 18 - 23 to help with English. No formal qualification required. Text books and work books available. Auto-rickshaw to take teacher to school.

Rose Matriculation School & Rose Nursery and Primary School, Madurai

A similar school to the above but with 600 students in all, aged 4 - 13, with the same average class size. School hours are longer for older children (9.00 am - 4.00 pm) and the school has some computer access. Accommodation will be found in a private house. School van will take the teacher to school. The minimum age is 18 and in addition to women they will accept male teachers if married and accompanied. A Matriculation School is also run by the same group.

Elisa Bondolfi Gregori Matriculation School

A Roman catholic school of over 1000 pupils from pre-kindergarten to matriculation, with extra curricular activities. Looking for female volunteers, who will be looked after by the contact person for all these requests Mrs Miriam Santhosa Sahayani.

Siddhu Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Vishwananathapuram, Madurai

This school takes children from 3 to 16, with average 25 children in a class and a total of 500. Working hours are again 9.00 am to 4.00 pm and resources are similar to the above school. They are looking for people able to teach maths and French, and they suggest their children are above average in ability. Private house accommodation and transport to school provided. Minimum age 18.

M.G Matriculation School, Ramnad

Not in the major city of Madurai, this is a 400 student school with average 25 children per class from 4 to 13 years. Accommodation will be in a hostel attached to the school. Again, French and Maths teachers required but no formal qualification needed. 18+ but not just women in this case.

Orientation and choice of school

On arrival there will be a two-day orientation programme which will include visits to local temples and other historic sites, some basic Tamil language, something about culture and expectations and visits to the schools. Decision about which school to assist in will then be made. There will be accommodation costs of around £75 per month. Private accommodation will be provided. All houses have electricity and water; food will be provided and transport to the school will be arranged.

Location

Madurai is in the south of India, at around the same latitude as the north of Sri Lanka. It is inland, so can be hot. Hottest months are March - September (average maximum 36° and minimum 26°). The October - March average is 31° and 22°. The rainy (monsoon) season is between September - December (around 7 inches of rain in October and November) but the rest of the year is fairly dry. Monsoon season can be pleasantly cool after rain but humid before.

For all candidates there will be an informal interview and we will ask for references. As the work will be with children you will require a Criminal Records check. Before departure we will arrange a briefing and ask for proof of adequate health insurance. British citizens will require a visitor’s visa to India.

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