A Dundee teacher returns today from helping soldiers improve their skills in the three Rs during a tour on Cyprus as a Territorial Army officer.
Susan Aitken, whose normal job is at the Dudhope day unit, is also a major serving with HQ 51 Brigade, which is in charge of the TA in Scotland.
She has spent the past six months taking part in the long-running United Nations operation to oversee the Green Line, the buffer zone separating the Greek and Turkish parts of the island.
The British Army is responsible for the sector in and around Nicosia and Susan was sent out as visits and media officer to the 40 Signal Regiment group.
She noticed that some soldiers had literacy and numeracy difficulties and decided to put her teaching skills to good use by offering them confidential tuition during their off-duty time, with each person receiving an individualised programme to suit their needs.
Susan said, “This has been a really interesting job. Supporting soldiers who may have missed out on areas of their education is quite humbling. It takes a lot of courage for a grown man to admit they have problems and to seek help.”
During her tour, she also had to co-ordinate the visits of high-ranking officers, politicians and the media. The list included former House of Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd and veteran journalist Sir Trevor McDonald.
40 Signal Regiment group also had the task of providing security during a visit by Pope Benedict.
Reflecting on her tour she said, “Hard work, but definitely worth the effort. However, I am looking forward to returning to my class in Dundee today. It is nice to be home.”
Susan started teaching at Mid Craigie Primary before becoming a staff tutor for the Enterprise in Education programme. She then spent a year working with the city council’s social work department before taking up her post at Dudhope.