‘In January 2012, twenty-five new volunteer teachers have taken up placements in schools across the Maldives. They have been well prepared for their roles, and were warmly received on the islands. They will be teaching a variety of subjects including mathematics, sciences, humanities, arts and computing. The Maldivian High Commission has already received some very positive feedback from the islanders of Kudahuvadhoo, regarding the volunteer teachers who are working there. So far, since the inception of the IVP in 2009, sixty-three volunteer teachers from UK have taken up one-year placements to teach Maldivian children across the islands. Last year, two volunteers extended their placements for a second year. In the early stages of the programme, eight volunteers returned to UK before completing their full year, but communications with the host schools and clearer expectations of the volunteers have improved immensely.’