China
- Population:
- 1.3 billion
- Capital city:
- Beijing
- GDP per capita:
- US$5,383
- HDI ranking:
- 92 out of 182 countries
- Life expectancy:
- 73 years
VSO has been working in China since 1981, and the current focus of our work there is on education, HIV and AIDS, and supporting the development of national volunteering programmes.
Education
In rural western China, the quality of education and teaching remains poor and outdated, and this situation is made worse by the numbers of qualified teachers seeking jobs in the wealthier cities. Although a new national curriculum places greater attention on using teaching styles and resources that are more active and vibrant, rather the traditional method of memorisation, rural teachers have not been trained to adapt their teaching style and the examination systems haven’t caught up with the curriculum reforms.
VSO volunteers are working to improve opportunities for learning through basic education for disadvantaged girls and boys in three selected prefectures of Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. They are placed in advisory and training roles, as school management advisers, English and science education advisers, and child psychologists, with the aim of strengthening teachers' professional development, improving systems of school management and increasing the level of community participation in education services.
HIV and AIDS
Poor areas are becoming more vulnerable to the risks of HIV and AIDS because of a lack of access to education and information. The national curriculum states that HIV and AIDS education in schools and colleges is compulsory, but many teachers do not have a way to access information needed for these classes. VSO volunteers working in education include awareness training alongside their teacher training activity, whilst other volunteers are working with local agencies to improve awareness about safe sex practices and the level of counselling and support offered to people living with HIV and AIDS.
National volunteering
VSO is also developing a national volunteering programme which aims to promote volunteering as a form of active citizenship – in line with the Chinese government’s call to build a ‘harmonious society’ – as well as an effective way of reducing poverty and disadvantage in China. Recognising VSO’s strength and practical experience in volunteer management and its advantage in international network and linkages, VSO China works with national partners in support of the development of volunteering to fight against poverty and disadvantage in China, mainly through capacity-building and awareness-raising activities.
Downloads
- China – Education (30KB)
- China – HIV and AIDS (451KB)
- China – National volunteering (119KB)
