More involved
on Marika VSO-ing in Namibia (Namibia), 27/Jul/2010 17:06, 34 days ago
I'd like to say I’m having increasingly productive weeks both at work and in the kitchen. I spent the majority of the week at Mavuluma creating more teaching time for myself albeit service delivery) but also more so because the staff had arranged their formal termly observations so I used it as an opportunity to intervene further, even to the more reluctant teachers. Even without electricity for the last fortnight in one of the main blocks and a photocopier down (many rural schools have neither of these priviliges in the first place) the teachers impressively continue on as normal. Typically, not all organised observations actually happened, as teachers cancelled last minute or used the excuse that the student teachers were taking their classes or just were not present (even the Principal included here as he asked me to do his designated observation as he wouldn’t be around). Some teachers took up my offer to help them in their planning, others (the men primarily) were too proud perhaps and just asked another colleague. It’s still taking time to get them to not see me as someone who is here to report on them, but just help. At least they’re asking someone is progress in my view. On the other hand, I witnessed one of the teachers skip all his morning lessons (4 or 5 periods) in order to prepare his lesson. Frustrating for the classes that lose yet more lessons, and the only positive side I can see of this is that there is a bit of evidence of him finally putting a bit of attention into his work. Using the formalities the other teachers continue to fill in a poorly designed and in my view ineffective 5-page observation form which they try to ask me to do for them (another opportunity to avoid doing their part), but I stand my ground, refuse and give feedback in my own, less formal but I hope more effective way. As it’s a standard, national form, I don’t really have much influence in changing this and hope that they’ll either put in some volunteers at this level or someone will see sense soon. Unfortunately, schools at the moment are not allowed to just design their own and are rigid as anything if it regards form-filling of any nature. They find it quite shocking that I would dare challenge this and continue to check the teachers’ compulsory 5 folders they try to put together as an exhibit. Another shocking example as I witness one Head of Department (Maths and Sciences) taught that x+3 = 3y and that a+c+b = abc, even with the Principal observing beside me. I questioned the Principal on what basis this individual got this promotion but got a unsatisfactory answer about the interviews being conducted on paperwork of qualifications rather than experiencewhere this fact might be easy to overlook (she had been trained in these subjects but not taught them for over an estimated 15 years ago). Another insight might be that all the staff at my school seem to be members of the SDA church (of which the Principal has a high status within), and that fact that is hard to ignore as schools here are not faith schools.In the kitchen, I’ve been in the mood for experimenting and ventured into using a VSO cookbook handwritten by a previous volunteer and found in the house. I’ve made carrot cake, pancakes and bread rolls. We met interesting journalist Tom (Italian/Turkish) and had young Julian (Dutch/German) couchsurfing and so combined the two to enjoy evening fires overlooking the Zambezi during the weekend.