What cultural observations did I make today?
What did I observe today in terms of leadership styles, organizational systems, administrative processes or other educational practices?
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This blog is related to my international trip to South Africa.
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2009
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June
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- Table Mountain
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- Emafini School-Our first school visit!!!
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June
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June 15
ReplyDeleteRaleigh-NY (1 hr & 34 minutes), NY-Johannesburg (15 hours & 10 minutes), J0-burg to Port Elizabeth, S. Africa 1 hour & 45 minutes)
Although it was amazing seeing cumulous clouds of all shapes and sizes up close and millions of bright stars in the night sky, I was so glad to finally land in Port Elizabeth. We are staying at Bayside Guest House this week. Tonight we went to S. Africa’s version of Broadway at the Beach. We got Rand (money) and ate dinner, and that’s about it after such a long plane ride.
June 16-National Youth Day in S. Africa. School is out, and most businesses are closed. Stores close at 2:30.
Today we went the Donkin Reserve Pyramid & Lighthouse. Then, we took a “Back Roots” Tour of Port Elizabeth.
We went through New Brighton & Mangcaka. Since school was out, we saw lots of children, & they love to get their picture taken. Some of the sites we saw were similar to those you would see in most cities-businesses (mostly foreign), hospitals, schools, churches, prison, stores (Woolworths), fruit stands, hotels, fast food places (McDonald’s & KFC), etc. We also saw the brand new sport’s stadium.
However, what we don’t see, is people re-building their own “shacks.” Yes, re-building. The shacks had to be relocated so the people had to take down their shacks and re-build them in another location. I have pictures of both examples, & I will post them when I have better internet access. It was heart wrenching, to say the least. Count your blessings! Another distressing sight was a man carrying water jugs into his village. No running water means you go and get the water from a tap. Imagine having to do that for yourself.
Other: Exports-car parts & fruit
Local fish is exported to other parts of S. Africa and Port Elizabeth gets what is left over.
Recreation-water sports, soccer & cricket
In the afternoon, Jamie, Edel & I went to the Indian Ocean! We explored the tidal pools (lots of hermit crabs) and shelled. I found some nice shells which are a little different than NC shells. The part of the beach we visited was rocky w/dark blue water.
Welcome Reception-In the evening we visited w/new friends from different countries. We had a very nice dinner w/ familiar food-bbq chicken and potato salad. I fell in love w/pot bread-bread cooked in a pot. Some of the people were South Africans. They are very concerned about the education system here and find it autocratic. There was a little friend there who said she liked first grade b/c she didn’t have the fierce teacher. I learned there is one school who has not had water all year, & the students use the bathroom outside. I also learned the farm schools have better resources than the township schools b/c the farmers want to make sure the students have what they need.
June 17
ReplyDeleteEmafini School-opened in 1989, ages 5 ½-13, 8 am-2pm
40 % of the students live near the school. Most students walk 5K to get to school.
Parents-most are unemployed
UBUNTU provides meals for the students.
The calendar is similar to a year round calendar.
Uniforms-Yes. In order for a child to attend this school, they must have a uniform.
Class size-40-45
Students do have recess.
Teachers in the lower grades teach art and music to their class.
Resources-computer lab, chalkboard, workbooks, community pencil boxes w/crayons & pencils, some books, lots of posters hanging up
Seating arrangement in 3rd grade-by ability
Subjects observed-3rd grade-grammar lesson (copying from chalkboard), 2nd grade-taking a test, K-writing numbers to 5
Standards-Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills
Students are taught English at age 7.
Resource teachers-none
It takes years for students to be entitled for extra service. When they are entitled, they attend a special school.
I didn’t see any materials for hands-0n learning. With the number of students/desks in each class, there wasn’t a whole lot of room for movement.
Bathroom-Students use the bathroom outside.
Lunch-Students stand and pray before eating. Students eat in the classrooms and outside. During lunch, students were everywhere. They washed their spoons outside. The school burns trash so there was also a fire outside during lunch and students were around the fire. On the side of the school, there were tables of snacks students could purchase, like popcorn.
The students were excited to have us in their classrooms and loved posing for the camera.
They listened to their teachers and seemed to know their boundaries outside.
In NC, class sizes are lower and classrooms are equipped w/better resources. Yet, we still have a gap, too. ???
Allison: Do they go outside as a class to eat? Do they stay with their class to wash spoons and to burn their trash or do they do it independently? What about their attitude, were they happy to be in school? Praying in a school!!! Gotta love it. - Peggy
ReplyDeletewhen you say they go to the bathroom outside, is that in an outhouse or actually just out in the open?!
ReplyDeleteAllison: What a great experience!!! I can't wait to see the shells you found. I am always interested in the different beaches around the world.
ReplyDeleteWhat about singing and dancing at school? Kara
Peggy-Some ate inside, and some ate outside.
ReplyDeleteThey were totally independent. The students were so happy to be in school. I can't wait to share ALL the pictures!
Jenny-no outhouse
Kara-The students love to sing, dance and make up rhymes. Yesterday, I asked several lunch groups to sing for me. Today, teachers prepared the children to sing for us. I have videos.
Really enjoying following your adventure!
ReplyDelete