Ratu Meli Memorial School

Fiji Education Training Manual
Version 1.1

Table of Contents
WELCOME ................................................................................................................................. 2
OUR PARTNERS........................................................................................................................ 3
INTRODUCTION TO FIJI AND THE YASAWA ISLANDS ........................................................... 4
FIJI EDUCATION SYSTEM BACKGROUND .............................................................................. 5
SCHOOL PROFILE: RATU MELI MEMORIAL SCHOOL (RMMS).............................................. 6
TEACHING AT RATU MELI MEMORIAL SCHOOL: SAMPLE PROGRAM SCHEDULE ............ 9
GETTING STARTED................................................................................................................. 11
INTRODUCTION TO LESSON PLANNING............................................................................... 13
TEACHING TIPS & ADVICE ..................................................................................................... 16
FINAL THOUGHTS ................................................................................................................... 17
APPENDIX................................................................................................................................ 18
CULTURAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 18

Fiji Education
Welcome
Congratulations!
If you are reading this you have enrolled on an extremely rewarding and important
volunteering program which will enable you to have a direct positive impact on the lives
of Yasawan villagers.
We would like to begin by thanking you in advance. GVI Fiji and the local children are
looking forward to your arrival and the time we will spend together.
Teaching and working with children is hard work both physically and mentally but it is also
extremely rewarding. The more effort and energy you put in the more you and your
students will take from it. We sincerely hope this will be a fun and very rewarding
experience for you. However, in turn we must all keep in mind that the main focus of this
project is to improve the lives of these children and their communities by working to
improve education standards. Through positive and productive interaction with students
we can achieve our ultimate goal, which is to enable them to have greater opportunities
later in life.
We don’t ever want you to feel that you are alone in this program. The majority of our
volunteers participating on our GVI teaching projects have little or no experience working
with children in a classroom setting. Field staff will be available during planning time and
the lessons themselves, to assist you in any way we can. We also encourage you to work
with your fellow volunteers to give each other support and reassurance, which can be can
be much appreciated at times.
We appreciate any constructive feedback you can give us during specified feedback
sessions. We hope we can all work together to improve things where necessary and make
this program as successful and effective as possible.
The following training manual will introduce you to some basic concepts regarding the
project, your role as a teacher, teaching methodologies and cultural tips. Once on base,
GVI staff will provide training sessions to prepare you with the necessary knowledge
required to effectively plan lessons, have a hand in classroom management, ways to
promote self-esteem and the different approaches we can utilize to create a thriving,
nurturing environment for our students. It is not necessary to print the following, although
we do ask you to read it carefully. Should any questions arise, please feel free to discuss
these with the field staff during your training sessions. As mentioned above, the majority of
our volunteers have never taught before and we look forward to providing you with all the
necessary training and resources for you to become a successful teaching assistant.
Finally, we would like to wish you good luck and thank you again for your participation in
this program.
Vinaka Vaka Levu,
GVI FIJI
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Our Partners
Global Vision International supports numerous NGO’s and organizations around the
world providing the human resources required to run critical community development and
conservation projects.
GVI was contacted by The Yasawa Trust Foundation in 2010 with a request to help
assist the Trust in the implementation of a broad community development and
infrastructure improvement project. The Trust was established to help the Villagers of the
Yasawas to improve their access to fresh drinking water, to improve the availability and
implementation of sustainable power solutions, to improve the quality of local education,
and to improve the general health of villagers through education schemes and
agricultural initiatives. As a GVI volunteer in Fiji you are both a representative of GVI and
The Yasawa Trust Foundation.
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Introduction to Fiji and The Yasawa Islands
Fiji, a country most commonly associated with notions of ‘paradise’ has its share of socioeconomic,
political, and cultural problems. Over the years there have been a number of
political coups and most recently in 2002 the military overthrew the elected government
and took power. Currently, the country is a stable military dictatorship. The government is
now well established and the people of Fiji are more or less content with the current
situation. Although Fiji continues to be a safe, friendly, and beautiful destination,
economically the island nation has suffered. This economic decline has restricted the
government’s ability to address countrywide infrastructure problems.
The Yasawa Island group is an
archipelago made up of over 20
volcanic islands that lie to the west
of Viti Levu, mainland Fiji. The
villages of the Yasawas are basic
traditional Fijian settlements with
limited sources of income. The
relatively new influx of tourism to
the area has provided some
restricted financial benefits for
certain villages in proximity to the
basic resorts, though overall most
villages lack a dependable means
of income. The people of the
Yasawas depend on both the land
and sea for subsistence. Their
lives are inextricably linked to the
environment and their natural
resources. As a result, the
importance of protecting these
resources through sustainable
management is crucial to Yasawan
life.
Ferry Route to Tovuto Base – GVI’s field base lies 4.5-5hours from the
mainland via ferry
One of the most important aspects of community development work is education.
Through education children are empowered and given the ability to shape their lives and
the lives of others. We aim to broaden opportunities for the children in the future and as
an education volunteer you are a valuable asset to this process.
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Fiji Education System Background
In recent years, significant progress towards the improvement of the quality of education
provided in Fiji’s schools has been made. Education in Fiji is compulsory and as a result
they have a high literacy rate of 93%.
Various education policies have been passed to help facilitate greater access to education
for all children and youths, especially in the rural areas.
Although the Education System is directed by the Government, many schools are
managed by local communities, as well as private schools operated by individual groups or
by missions under government supervision. All Government Schools teach in English.
Despite the continuing efforts of the Ministry of Education, conditions are still not ideal and
there are always areas for improvement, especially when it comes to assisting teachers in
the classrooms and providing tutorial sessions for the students. The education the children
receive is often very generic and fails to provide them with a sufficient understanding of the
curriculum. In addition to this there is an inequality between the quality of teaching and
resources available at mainland schools compared to island schools. By providing support
to the teachers and educational resources that would otherwise be unavailable we hope to
reduce this inequality.
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Ratu Meli Memorial School (RMMS)
The Ratu Meli Memorial School is a Government School run by the community committee.
It is affiliated with the Fijian curricula, so the classes are in English. However, because
most students do not speak English at home many of the children are quite shy about
speaking English and have a vocabulary less developed than children from the mainland.
There are currently 125 students enrolled at Ratu Meli School, both boys and girls, from
class 1-8. The students are from Nacula Village, and from the other villages on Nacula
Island: Naisisili, Navotua and Malakati. Due to the distances between their home village
and the school, approximately 60 students board at the school alongside the eight
teachers.
Your assistance will not only greatly help the over-worked teachers but
it will also enrich the educational experience that the children have at
school.
Many of the children are great students but do not test well because they struggle with
English language. As a GVI volunteer one of our main goals is to reduce this apprehension
and develop their abilities within a multitude of scholastic subjects. In order to be
successful in our efforts we must always take into consideration the background of our
student population and the obstacles these children may face in their daily life. The
students are excited to be taught by a foreigner and will work hard to impress you.
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At GVI Fiji our aim is to improve
literacy and numeracy levels at
RMMS, as well as facilitating creative
and physical development.
Through classroom assistance, additional
educational resources and increased exposure
to English speakers we aim to improve the
confidence of pupils at RMMS and in doing so
broaden their opportunities in the future.
As a volunteer you will be involved in assisting
local teachers across all subjects, as well as
supervising and interacting with the children. At
RMMS lessons are often taught with just a
blackboard and chalk, which is uninspiring and
does not promote learning. Volunteers are able
to assist the teachers in creating a stimulating
learning environment, motivating the students
to learn.
In addition to supporting teachers in
academic subjects, such as English,
Math and Science, GVI volunteers are
also responsible for Music, Physical
Education and Art lessons. Although
these subjects are included in the
timetable at RMMS, they are frequently
overlooked and by delivering these
lessons ourselves we are hoping to
facilitate the creative and physical
development of the pupils. You will also
have the opportunity to get involved
with the one-on-one tuition program
which was introduced by GVI to provide
additional support to those pupils who
are struggling.
As a volunteer you will influence the lives of young children and even if
you have never worked with children before you can and will have a
major impact.
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Holiday School Program
Three times a year RMMS closes its doors for the holidays and during this time GVI
volunteers tour around the nearby islands visiting the children in their villages for ‘holiday
club’. This has proven to be a hugely popular event as the children have limited
entertainment in their villages during the holidays. Lots of fun is had all round as
volunteers help the children to try lots of exciting new activities and also practice their
English outside of the classroom. As a volunteer you will gain a unique insight into village
life and have the opportunity to explore the islands.
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Teaching at Ratu Meli Memorial School: Sample
Program Schedule
First Week
Arrival Saturday: Arrival Health &
Safety briefing and welcome
orientation in Nadi, followed by travel
to GVI Tovuto Base in the Yasawas.
On arrival you will receive a base tour
and a welcome presentation before
settling in to your new home.
Arrival Sunday: On Sunday you will
complete all health and safety
training, as well as receiving a cultural
orientation presentation. Finally, you
will be given project training, including
Arrive at Tovuto base
an introduction to Ratu Meli Memorial
School, life on the project, lesson
planning advice and class management tips. You will also be assigned to a class and
given your ‘class folder’ with lots of helpful information to get you started.
Arrival Monday: First day on project and when the fun really begins! You will be
introduced to the school during assembly before heading to your classroom where you
can start to get to know your teacher and pupils. The first day is just for settling in so no
need to worry!
Welcome Assembly
Rest of the Week: You will be assisting the
teachers in the classrooms and participating
in GVI’s initiatives at the school. Each week
you will have a checklist of tasks that you
will be responsible for completing in your
classroom.
In the evenings there will be time for lesson
planning, chores and social/cultural activities
organized by field staff and volunteers, all
suggestions welcome! You will also have
daily briefings on base and at school with
field staff and volunteers to discuss how
your week is going and any other issues that
arise.
Weekends: Free time! You can go island hopping, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking or
just relax in the most beautiful white sand beaches. Let field staff know in advance if you
plan to book any side trip.

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Final Week
Monday – Thursday - full days on the project
Departure Friday: - Leaving presentation for departing volunteers and the opportunity to
give your feedback on the program. You will then depart to the mainland, arriving in Nadi in
the evening where you will go for a departure meal.
Daily Schedule
Please note this is a general guide and is subject to ‘Fiji Time’
(sometimes at short notice, so it’s very important to be flexible)
7:00-7:30 Breakfast
7:50 Load boat and get ready to deploy
8:00 Departure
08:30 Arrival at RMMS
08:30 – 12:00 Teaching and assisting in classrooms
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 15.00 Teaching and assisting in classrooms
15:00 - 15:15 Debrief & Deploy to base
15:45 Arrive at Tovuto Base
16:30 – 19:00 Lesson planning/ Base chores / Free time
19:00 ish Dinner
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Getting Started
Class Folders
At the end of your project training you will be assigned to a class and presented with
your ‘class folder’. This is valuable a resource which you can use to find out in depth
information about your class. Inside there will be examples of lesson plans, profiles of
the pupils and helpful information/tips left for you by previous volunteers. Look after your
folder and remember to update it so that future volunteers can continue to build on the
progress you made in the classroom.
Your First Day
Getting to know your students is very
important in your first week this will help
you to settle into your classroom. Your
first day may seem overwhelming at
times. Keeping busy and getting
involved straight away is a great way to
start things off. Making a seating chart is
a way to get acquainted with your class.
After you have done this make an effort
to speak to each child one-on-one. Ask
them their name, age, about their
brothers or sisters, etc. Also make an
effort to speak with your local teacher
and the other teachers in the school.
Starting the Day
Greeting Students: a warm personal
welcome sets the tone for the day and gives the teacher a chance to assess each
student’s mood.
Introductory Activity: you can settle your students down as they enter the classroom by
involving them immediately with an activity. It could be a math problem on the board,
vocabulary lists that the students can define with a dictionary, drawing or passing out a
map template asking students to locate certain countries/cities or a simple cut and paste
activity.
Don’t waste your time
Your time as a volunteer is precious and you need to take advantage of every minute.
Always be sure that your lessons and activities are prepared and rehearsed the night
before. A teacher that is rushing around trying to prepare materials during class time will
never have success in meeting their objective of the lesson and will lose the attention of
the students. Make sure that if you are doing an arts and crafts project to always do a
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trial run outside of school to realize the difficulties you may encounter when you try it with
your students. If the activity involves various steps or stages make sure you have
examples to show the children what the project should look like for each step. The
students will nod as if they understand even when they don’t. Ask concept-checking
questions to make sure they understand e.g. what did we just do? Why did we do this?
Give examples to explain concepts or words.
Use simple language and speak clearly
Remember a concept that you consider to be simple may be lost in translation. Be patient
and if they don’t understand something, try to rephrase it. The Fijian teachers will also be
on hand to help translate if necessary. Also be wary of your accent when helping the pupils
with pronunciation.
Tips on Volunteer Conduct
It is important to be culturally aware at all times whilst in the school and
villages
Always dress appropriately. Try to wear your GVI t-shirt, if it is being
washed ensure you have a suitable substitute (see appendix on cultural
information)
Address the students and teachers politely – it is important to offer a word of
greeting so say Bula to whomever you meet in your day-to-day activities.
Always set a good example to teachers and pupils - strive to be punctual,
organized and enthusiastic
Be friendly and make an effort to get to know the teachers and student
Try to include examples from local culture in lessons, this will help the
student understand
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INTRODUCTION TO LESSON PLANNING
Teachers at every level prepare plans that aid in the organization and
delivery of their daily lessons. Teachers need more than a vague notion
of what they plan to bring into the classroom. The effective teacher
needs to develop a plan to provide direction toward the attainment of
their objectives. The more organized a teacher is, the more effective the
teaching will be.
Ratu Meli Memorial School follows
the national curriculum and we have
copies of all the generic textbooks
available for you to use. Building a
relationship with your teacher is
crucial for effective lesson planning.
When you arrive, ask what they
would like you to contribute and
continue to do so throughout your
time in the classroom. Each week the
local teachers complete a planner
which details all their lessons for the
following week. Use this to help plan
with your teacher so that you have
time to prepare in advance.
Try to use the local teachers lesson
plans for the first few days until you
are comfortable. It is important that
you follow this guideline, as students have to sit exams in school that are based on the
local curriculum. Whenever possible try to use your own skills and creativity, as well as our
educational resources to plan lessons which are in keeping with the local curriculum but
are stimulating and motivating for the pupils. Your class folder will include examples of past
lesson plans and feedback from former volunteers - use this at all times for reference.
If you have any questions, need assistance or anything is unclear please speak to your
staff.
Good preparation gives the teacher time to be effective and proactive. If
you are unprepared when you enter the classroom the pupils will pick
up on this very quickly and test you. You should always have all
materials needed for your class, instructions on the board and a
concept of how you will introduce your lesson to the students.
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A well-prepared volunteer is confident and in control; this sets the tone for your lesson.
The prepared volunteer always has a few minutes to set up the lesson for their next class.
Being a proactive teacher involves setting rules and guidelines for your class to follow. A
sample of class rules:
Come to class prepared and on time
Be respectful of your fellow classmates
Pay attention during instructions
Do your homework.
Keep your classroom clean
Raise your hand
Education Resources
Before planning your lessons have a rummage
through our educational resources to get ideas for
new activities in the classrooms. At RMMS we
have a GVI room full of education resources
including books, teaching guides, reference
books, arts and craft materials, sports equipments
and stationary. There are plenty of tools to help
you make lessons more exciting and stimulating
for the pupils and they are there for you to use so
don’t hesitate to incorporate them into your
lessons.
GVI resources
room
Some Ideas
The majority of lessons are taught on blackboard which is repetitive and uninspiring.
Be creative with your delivery and show the pupils that learning can be fun.
Keep the curriculum in mind when planning lesson to ensure you are achieving
the learning objectives set by the teacher.
Start with a warm up activity. Before you present the main part of your lesson,
set the stage for your students by tapping into their prior knowledge and giving the
objectives a context.
There are many resources and materials available- use them to help plan
your lessons
Students learn in different ways and react better to different activities so try to
incorporate a variety of learning styles into your lessons
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Use the Class Folders to find examples of past lesson plans which were
successful
Lesson plan with fellow volunteers, it is easier and more enjoyable if done as a
group - giving suggestions, brainstorming ideas or helping each other to make
materials.
Guided learning is important. Under your supervision, the students are given a
chance to practice and apply the skills you taught them and demonstrate their
understanding.
Always try to have a plan B. Volunteers should have a couple of activities planned
for the lesson or at least a back-up activity in case the lesson is over more quickly
than anticipated. Also consider higher level students who may finish quicker.
How do you conclude your lesson? Can it be extended for a homework
assignment? Volunteers giving one-to-one lessons are allowed to give the students
some homework if deemed appropriate
Test the pupils to ensure they have understood the lesson. The assessment
section is one of the most important parts of all. Give quizzes, tests, verbal exams,
assign homework, etc. Students should be able to demonstrate the skills you have
taught. Assessments show volunteers how effective their teaching methods have
been and also help to identify the different levels of the pupils.
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TEACHING TIPS & ADVICE
From discussion with teachers, volunteers and our coordinators we have devised a list of
general tips for you to consider when planning and teaching your lessons. This is by no
means an exhaustive list and it is still a work in progress so we would appreciate your
feedback on anything that you feel could be added to make lessons more successful and
less stressful.
Be positive with verbal and body
language. You being optimistic and
smiling will reflect your personality
and the children will be more
receptive to a cheerful and happy
volunteer.
Learn your students names ASAP!
Get to know your children and
develop a relationship with them
straight away.
Be patient. Always give students
an opportunity to answer a question
(Waiting Time).
Equality is essential. All students
should receive the same amount of
attention from the volunteers. Avoid
favouritism.
Don’t be afraid to ask. GVI staff is
going to be around for you during your training and during classroom time.
Always remain calm. It is easy to become frustrated or overwhelmed with your
duties. Students will catch on to this and it will make it more difficult to manage the
class. Never raise your voice, scold, embarrass or be sarcastic with your students.
Have a schedule of activities and establish a routine. Children need structure.
Plan daily activities or daily starters/openers that settle your students and give them
a sense of order.
Make sure your lessons involve all students. Plan your activities with the idea that
you need all students to participate.
Project your voice. Make sure it is heard, it is clear and not too fast. This shows
leadership and confidence.
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Be presentable. You don’t need to dress up, but make sure you are well rested
and are wearing appropriate
clothing.
Always be punctual. Maintain
your schedule; this will aid in your
lesson plans and the structure of
your classroom.
Communicate with the school’s
local teachers. Building a
relationship with your teachers will
give you a better understanding of
your class and the lessons you are
planning.
Always be courteous. Be sure to
greet local school staff and community members you encounter when on the
project.
Interact with students during break time or recess. Make the experience fun for
yourself and the students even when outside the classroom.
Learn the local language. Use phrases the children can relate to.
Strive to be helpful. Always assist in classroom duties. (Clean-up, organizing
materials, supervising the children).
Utilize all the resources that are available to you (local teachers’ notes,
curriculum books, and most importantly your own ideas and creativity!)
Have fun! Volunteers should enjoy their role, being able to
work with the teachers and pupils at RMMS is the experience
of a lifetime. Make the most of it!
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have found these introductory materials informative and the prospects
exciting. The Yasawa Islands are home to some of the most idyllic natural beauty in the
South Pacific and we know that you will find your time in the villages both rewarding and
enjoyable. Thank you for joining us and making this program possible.
See you in the Pacific!
GVI Fiji
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Appropriate Dress
APPENDIX
CULTURAL INFORMATION
In the villages, women must cover their shoulders and legs at all times. It is perfectly fine
to wear short sleeved shirts as long as shoulders are covered. It is acceptable for
volunteers to wear long work trousers during construction work though during all other
times women should wear sarongs. Men should wear sarongs and short sleeved shirts at
school and to village functions but at other times it is acceptable to wear trousers or
shorts. Volunteers, when teaching at the school, should plan to wear sarongs and either
a short-sleeve t-shirt/polo shirt or the GVI Fiji t-shirt (provided on arrival) to school every
day. On base, volunteers are free to wear what they wish.
It is possible to purchase traditional clothing before deploying to the islands. For women
this would be a Sulu Chamba
which is a patterned sarong and
matching fitted top. Men wear
Sulu’s (sarongs) and what is
referred to as a ‘bula shirt’ – a
colourful patterned, short sleeved
button up shirt, similar to what
many refer to as a ‘Hawaiian
shirt’.
Please do not wear hats in the
village. Traditionally only
headmen and chiefs are allowed
to wear headwear.
Fiji Facts:
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Fiji is comprised of approximately 540 islets and 322 islands of which about 100
are inhabited. The majority of these islands were formed through volcanic activity
around 150 million years ago.
Fiji has a small population of approx 846,000 people
The biggest island is Viti Levu which is home to the capital of Fiji, Suva and also
Nadi Town which is where the main international airport is located.
The most popular religion is Christianity followed by Hindi and Muslim
Fiji has a tropical climate and experiences a cyclone season between November-
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Fiji Education
Indigenous Fijians still follow their traditional rites and practices, which
include mekes (narrative dances), and the ceremonial drinking of yaqona (kava
ceremonies).
Rugby is the most popular sport in Fiji and the national team is very successful
given the size of the population
The biggest industries are Tourism and sugar
Say it in Fijian
Hello – Ni Sa Bula
Hello (informal) – Bula
Goodbye – Moce (Mo-th-e)
Yes – io
No – Sega (S-eng-a)
Please – Kere Kere
Thank you – Vinaka
Thank you very much – Vinaka vaka levu
Good morning – Yadra (Y-an-dra)
See you again – Sota Tale
No worries – Sega na lega (s-eng-a n al l-eng-a)
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