AN ANGUS teacher has embarked on a pioneering busman’s holiday project on the African continent.

Anne Duncan, from Arbroath’s Hayshead Primary, left Angus at the weekend—giving up her summer holiday to help improve education in Malawi.

Her school pupils, colleagues and parents have been tremendously supportive of Anne’s ambition, raising almost £400 for her to buy books as a gift for the school, where she is to spend the experience of a lifetime.

Anne, who lives near Letham, is travelling with the first group of ‘global teachers’ to work in the east African country and will join a rural community where there is no running water or electricity.

She will work with staff at the local school dealing with classes of over 100 pupils and minimal resources.

“I will be learning a lot myself, living in the local community and stretching my own professional skills,” said Anne.

She joins teachers from around Scotland going to Malawi as part of the Global Teachers Programme, run by international agency Link Community Development.

“The programme provides UK teachers and headteachers with a challenging, rewarding and motivating professional and personal development experience,” said Anne.

Anne also hopes to forge a long-lasting link between Hayshead and Kalinyeke Model School, so children can make friends with their counterparts overseas and learn about each others’ lives.