Education is a key component in helping a society grow and build a better future.
It’s a sentiment Lantzville’s Glynn Currie believes in and one reason he is heading to the Philippines this summer to help teachers learn how to instruct students in science through hands-on learning.
The retired teacher and principal is heading the country with four others as part of the Vancouver Island and western Washington Rotary group’s vocational training team exchange. Four elementary teachers from the Philippines will visit the Island and parts of Washington this May.
“I’m really excited about it,” said Currie, who went on a similar exchange trip in the 90s to Tanzania, in east Africa.
He said education is important to help countries grow.
“Education, in my mind, is the best way to help out,” he said.
Currie, a member of the Rotary Club of Lantzville for nine years, and the other members of the exchange will visit the island of Luzon and visit five provinces during their one-month visit.
While there, the visitors hope to leave about five or six computers for teachers as a legacy project. The exchange team wants to raise about $5,000 to purchase the computers. To donate, call Lantzville Rotary president Don Tamelin at 250-758-1588.
Before departing for Luzon, the teachers will exchange ideas with the Filipino teachers who arrive in Nanaimo May 6.
While here, the teachers will tour science facilities on the Island, such as the Pacific Biological Station, and learn about teaching methods during a workshop at Vancouver Island University and through school visits to Park Avenue Elementary School and Georgia Avenue Elementary School.
Bob Fenty, Nanaimo coordinator for the vocational training team, said it’s a wonderful opportunity for the teachers to learn simple teaching methods to get children interested in science.
“It’s going to be absolutely incredible for them to learn here in Canada,” he said.