Program Information

Developing the expertise and professional capabilities of principals and teachers to deliver quality education for all children and young people, and lead improvement in outcomes is a strong focus of the education reform agenda. This includes supporting professional learning opportunities that build the capacity of emerging and aspiring leaders.

The Department of Education and Training (DET) has entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea (MOE) to facilitate a reciprocal exchange program.

This program is hosted by the MOE, Republic of Korea (ROK) who has designated the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU), under the auspices of UNESCO as the implementing agency for this Teacher Exchange Program.

The Republic of Korea - Victoria Teacher Exchange Program aims to:

Foster teachers’ professional development through sharing of good practices of teaching, curriculum and school activities

Enhance teachers’ cross-cultural communication skills and promote education for international understanding

Promote mutual understanding between the two countries

Build the foundation for school-to-school partnership for future collaboration

PLEASE NOTE: Phase one of the 2017 ROK-VIC Teacher Exchange is complete. To participate in phase two of the program, please complete an application form and send to Zoe Horton on horton.zoe.z@edumail.vic.gov.au

Phase two participants will travel to Korea on 6 July 2017 and will participate in the program for a duration of three weeks.

Whilst in Korea, participants will be required to participate in an orientation program, two weeks of placement in a Korean school and a shared learning workshop before returning to Victoria on 27 July 2017.

Reciprocal Exchange for Victorian Partner teacher to ROK

Phase two Victorian teachers will:

Arrange their travel in line with Department guidelines, see: Travel for Staff

Ensure they have a valid passport and the necessary visa to enable them to travel to the Republic of Korea.

Establish their status and coverage with Medicare while overseas and ensure they have appropriate travel and medical insurance prior to travel.

Continue to be paid by DET while on exchange and will retain their entitlement to WorkCover

Ensure they have appropriate personal insurance to cover any theft, loss or damage to their notebook computer while traveling. (Notebook computers are not covered by insurance outside Australia)

Ensure they have provided their schools with all current relevant personal details- including contact numbers for next of kin and any relevant powers of attorney

Inform their host school of any relevant information about medical conditions relating to the exchange.

The Overseas Travel Risk Management Guidelines are designed to assist with making informed decisions about travel safety and risks whilst planning for and travelling overseas.

These Guidelines can be viewed at: https://edugate.eduweb.vic.gov.au/Services/Policies/RiskManagement/Documents/Overseas%20Travel%20Risk%20Management%20Guidelines.pdf

Financial Arrangements

The international travel costs of participating teachers will be covered by the participant and/or their school. Whether a school contributes to the cost of travel will be a local decision. Where this occurs it is expected that funds should be sourced from the school’s professional learning budget.

In ROK, accommodation for the visiting Victorian teachers, will be arranged and provided through the hosting schools. Additionally, the ROK Ministry of Education will provide a stipend directly to Victorian teachers, for meals and local transportation expenses.

Department of Education and Training Contacts.

The ROK-AUS(VIC) Teacher Exchange Program is coordinated by the International Relations Unit of the DET. For more information about the Program, contact Ms Zoe Horton at horton.zoe.z@edumail.vic.gov.au or by phone on 9637 3250.