A Lot to think About
It's not really a secret that the education system is changing rapidly, and in my opinion not in a good way. Since leaving my job I've stayed in touch with colleagues at my school and those who have moved to other schools. I thought the issues at my school were just my school, however it seems as though the problems are more widespread than I thought. When I left, it wasn't because I didn't like my job, I loved it, but I loved it in spite of a lot of things. I had every intention of going back to the UK in a year or so and finding another job in teaching. However now with more and more friends and colleagues really struggling I'm thinking maybe there's a better option. I hate ranting blogs and I try hard to make mine as positive as possible but I need to start by outlining the issues as I see them.
I had an amazing opportunity last week to teach a lesson in a primary school in southern Drakensberg, south Africa. It was enlightening, aside from the obvious lack of technology, they do have the resources to teach: text book, exercise book etc. But what I was more interested in was the students attitude. I had assumed that they would all be as good as gold, silently having on to my every word. The students in the room we very focused and extremely respectful which was a major difference, however I kept losing students! I started with 12 and ended with 8. They would keep getting up and leaving, sometimes coming back and sometimes not. Of course I asked about this, it's very common for them to go toilet or get water and come back, others have chores they do during some lessons. As the teacher though, this want explained to me, likely because I only got to go one day. I did also tutor some local children at my hotel. Again they send just like any children back home, mostly focused but also chatty and wanted to play games more. So I'm left with 2 things to think about.
I guess it's just as well I have a year to think about these things before I have to decide. Again apologies for a pessimistic post but it's been bugging me the last couple weeks hearing such things from old colleagues and friends.
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January 2020
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