Blogless No More
on Joanne Cairns (Ethiopia), 13/May/2010 18:50, 34 days ago
Blogless No More Dear all blogees, please forgive my tardiness in the lack of blogs. It is not for want of things to share with you, but rather a want of time. It is a rather time consuming business trying to ensure that all 40,000 + teachers are up to date with their CPD and writing support material to help them grasp the subtle complexities of why their government (like all governments) insist in overloading teachers with yet more 'vocational' training. As if trying to ensure that their 6 classes of 75 + students get a good education doesn't take up enough of their time. Also it is a rather interesting prospect to convince teachers here that Active Learning Methods, such as small group work, project work, research methods, active participation etc is all good learning. A bit difficult when there are few or no textbooks, one broken blackboard, enough rough wooden benches for only half the class and no resources for the students. Ho hum, developing teachers in developing country is a daunting and humbling experience, especially when confronted with teachers' eagerness to learn and develop their own teaching and learning despite all these obstacles. How can I dare to get despondent when daily I am met with enthusiastic and willing teachers, genuinely concerned to bring the best education to their students. It is these people who keep you going, not the ever-creepy-smiling State Minister in his yellow and lime-striped impeccable suit who talks at you and tells you what to do even though you have tried to do that very thing half a dozen times only to be met with brick walls of excuses and incompetency's and cries of 'That's not the Ethiopian way of doing things..' Ah, can you tell I am in need of a holiday. Soon, soon. But before then I must regale you with 'Tales From the Compound'. And don't be discouraged, these tales do include episodes of gore and horror of Edgar Allen Poe proportions. Some titles include: 'The Tale of the Squealing Dog', 'The Tale of the Missing Head', 'The Tale of the Missing Vegetables'. But let us begin with 'The Tale of the Screaming Paint'… Are you sitting comfortably? Then let is begin… It all began a few months ago…Get a new e-mail account with Hotmail– Free.Sign-up now.