Echuca-Moama Rotary Club is seeking hosts in the community to accommodate eight special education teachers from Malaysia arriving in August, similar to the visit in 2024.
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Echuca-Moama Rotary Club is looking for community members to open their homes to eight visiting special education teachers from Malaysia, who arrive in August.
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Rotary club member Rob Foran said it was the second time the program had run.
“The Rotary club is doing our second tour of eight teachers from Malaysia,” he said.
“They are arriving on August 8 and will be here in Australia until about September 5.
“They will be in Echuca-Moama until September 2.”
The teachers will spend around three and a half weeks in local schools, with four placed at Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School and the remaining four split between Kalianna Special School and Bendigo Special Development School.
Hosts are needed for one or two teachers in separate bedrooms for either August 8 to August 21, or August 21 to September 2.
Mr Foran noted that pet-free and dog-free households were required.
“We are offering $20 per night at this stage as a gift card of the host’s choice to cover some of the expenses,” he said.
Fellow club member Kate Miller, who hosted teachers during the first program, encouraged others to get involved.
“Hosting the teachers was just such a rewarding experience,” she said.
“Learning about some of the differences between cultures has made me really appreciate the uniqueness of the opportunity.
“Despite the differences, you find you have so much more in common than you think.”
Hosts would be asked to cook two meals per week and keep snacks available, while the Malaysian teachers would cook one night a week.
The teachers will be placed in local schools for around three and a half weeks, with some at Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School and others at Kalianna Special School and Bendigo Special Development School. Pictured is 2024 visiting teacher Nadirah kicking a footy.
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Mr Foran said the program reflected Australia’s standing in special education.
“The Malaysian government, as well as Rotary, have identified Australia as one of the world's leaders in special education,” he said.
The eight participants, six from government schools and two from private schools, were selected by Malaysia’s Ministry of Education and are all special education teachers or paraprofessionals working in classrooms of up to 40 students with minimal resourcing and no education support.
The program began 12 years ago, was put on hiatus and was relaunched following a comprehensive report from the previous group. It has helped make tangible changes in special education practices in and around Kuala Lumpur.
Mr Foran said the program also benefited the wider community.
“I think it is fantastic for the town as well to have people exploring and then going away and selling the virtues of regional Victoria, particularly our little town,” he said.
The program aims to enhance special education practices, promote cultural exchange, and showcase Australia's leadership in special education, benefiting both the participants and the wider community. Pictured are visiting Malaysian teachers Vee, Hor Yern, Mai and Nita in 2024.
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Echuca-Moama Rotary Club acknowledged support from Rotary International through a global grant, the Melawati Rotary Club and other supporting Malaysian Rotary Clubs, the seven Rotary Clubs across north and central Victoria who are supporting with logistics and experiences, and Malaysia’s Ministry of Education.
Anyone interested in hosting should contact Echuca-Moama Rotary Club member Rob Foran on 0403 884 334.
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