MORE than 2000 Glasgow pupils applied for the role...

and now the city's 15 Malawi Young Leaders of Learning have been unveiled.

Pupils from schools across the city took part in a rigorous selection process to be chosen to work with their peers in Africa. The group chosen will fly to Malawi in September.

Stephen McGowan, senior graphic designer for Glasgow City Council, who is working with the young people, said: "It's really exciting for the pupils and for the three team leaders – we all realise how lucky we are.

"The group has been busy learning about Malawi and about Africa to get the most out of their time there.

"It's not going to be the usual sort of trip where young people help build a school – it's going to be about sharing their learning experiences and showing how the education system works in Scotland.

"Hopefully it will be of benefit to both groups – and the groups that come after them as the project develops."

The chance to become Malawi Young Leaders of Learning arose from a scheme founded by Maureen McKenna, executive director of education services, to share experience and resources with the south east African country.

Ten Glasgow school staff – including teachers, child development officers, support assistants and active schools coordinators – spent five weeks in Malawi this summer. Almost £60,000 has been raised already for the project's partner charity Link Community Development Scotland and a co-ordinator has been employed in Malawi.

A new group of 15 council education staff will go to Africa in June as part of the project, which aims to help sets of young people – 15 from Glasgow and 15 from Blantyre, Malawi – to sharpen leadership skills and improve their understanding of local and global issues. The 15 Glasgow youngsters will have to raise £20,000 for their visit.

Stephen, 34, said: "It's a unique project but we are all excited to be involved and the young people have already been working hard."

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk