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This blog will hark back to earlier writings: “The Goat Story”-- about my first month at the homestay while I was in PST (Pre-Service Training), and “Recent Trials and Tribulations” and other blog descriptions of conditions in South Africa that I perceived as hindering my teaching. Animals and school conditions remain, but I must be learning to live with them, as the frustration levels have lessened since then.
For example, today I was “hollered at” by a young man standing on the roof of a school building at Ndayi School. People communicate freely at the top of their lungs, music is ever-present from blocks away..competing music from 3 or 4 different homes... and I don’t mind it at all now. (However, I never initiate the hollering when I walk down the street, and, I savor the occasional quiet night or morning with no music.) I didn’t recognize the hollerer from over 100 yards away (I don’t think in metric yet), but when he asked for cookies and I told him I was baking that afternoon, he promised to visit later. That afternoon I heard someone in the street outside my room yell for “Carol” (I am Carol or Caroline to
Function for Gr 12 2013
Women from the village share the joy.everyone here, not Carolyn). It was William Aphane who is the brother of Jane Aphane*, my friend in her 20’s who WhatsApp’s me regularly. William came to collect cookies for himself and his friend. It strikes me that I am taking this sort of thing more in stride lately.
* Jane has made it her mission to bring me to every function she can think of. She is planning a “Baby Warm” for a friend next month-- a baby shower given after the baby is born.
Another example of my acceptance of how things go (Peace Corps calls it flexibility) is short. It’s about the the bell used to announce the end of each class period. Mpho Mabunda, Gr 10, was very reliable about keeping track of time on his watch, kept the bell alongside all day, going around the school grounds and ringing it. This year he has the same job, but no bell. Now he presses a button in the office for an obnoxious alarm bell. The alarm system has been there for years, but was never used. When I asked Mpho what happened to the bell, he shrugged and said some learner stole the clapper
out of it!!!!! Somehow this just cracks me up. I’m sure Mpho knows who did it, and I’m sure the teachers shook their heads and said “These learners....”
At the time of the cow encounter in this my second year, I was not quite as sanguine; not seeing much humor in my situation. It all happened at the end of Term 1 of 2014, in March. This year, I teach three classes instead of the four I taught in 2013, and in March, the art program was into its 3
rd month so I was feeling comfortable there, but it is always nerve-wracking at the end of term to receive the circuit tests and assignments to assess the learners. I am of the opinion that the Levels of Learner Competence reflect two problems in SA education. Quality of teaching varies tremendously (especially when months go by with no replacement teacher for absences due to transfer and sick or maternity leave) and the quality of tests varies as well. Sometimes it’s technical problems like the math symbols don’t print, sometimes questions on a Term 1 test are on material scheduled to be taught Term 2 or 3. SERIOUS!!! The Levels of
Learner Competence are:
0-29%!<(MISSING)/b>is Failing; 30-39%!<(MISSING)/b>is Elementary, 40-49%!<(MISSING)/b>is Moderate; 40-49%!<(MISSING)/b> is Adequate; followed by Substantial and Meritorious; with Outstanding at 80-100%! (MISSING)My expectations have evolved to now feeling OK about learners’ marks in the 30’s and 40’s. I actually feel that, given the errors and inconsistencies of the test, a very good learner can only hope to get 80%! (MISSING)Oh, and did I mention that the tests are in English? Classes are taught in English as well, but then how much do they understand in the lesson, and then how much do they understand in the test question? So, there’s my frustration in a nutshell.
While I’m in this state of mind, other things are going on. The Safety Committee is following orders to get an outside wall painted with notices of contact #’s, mission/vision statements and the restrictions on guns, cell phones, drugs, alcohol, etc. (circles with diagonal slash over the pictures) The Cultural Committee is arranging a function honouring last year’s Gr 12’s and has scheduled this for the last day of term. There are impromptu staff meetings all week that extend into class time and teachers off buying food supplies and paint supplies Function for Gr 12 2013
Gr 9 learners looking on at the ceremonies. are unavailable to invigilate (proctor) tests, etc. Learners who should have been studying are painting before and after school, and then--- the last day of testing-- was the arrival of the cow. Our school was the happening place for the men of the village that day. Men were sitting around in the shade of the tree ready to slaughter the cow for the next day’s function. I was invigilating Gr 11 tests* in their room when we heard the truck rumble by the door. I allowed the learners to go to the door to see the excitement. Then back to the test. Then a loud gunshot, and I looked out later and the cow in the truck was down. Back to testing, with much anticipation for the next day. I have included photos of this function for the Gr 12's.
*This test was Home Language for Sepedi or isiNdebele languages, which I could not read. I couldn’t read the instructions aloud for the class, and, five minutes into the test, a teacher came in to check something and noticed that I had given the memo (answer key) instead of the test to the three isiNdebele learners!!! The office assistant Function for Gr 12 2013
Gr 12 learners. With trophies for the 96% matric (pass) rate. had made the mistake by giving me the memo instead of the test, and I hadn’t noticed the only English word, “Memorandum”, on the title page.
So, the teachers here shake their heads and say “Those learners..” and go on. I now shake my head and say “South Africa...” and go on. One Friday went like this. About every other week a teacher announces a schedule change for cleaning after classes. This particular day started with no announcement during assembly. Good, we’re on a normal schedule--until Period 3- when the student body president announces to each class that Period 6 will be cleaning time. I teach Period 4, eat lunch and then start teaching Period 5. After 10 minutes, a teacher comes to my door and asks: “Are you busy?” “Yes, I’m teaching Gr 12” “We are knocking off earlier than Period 6...” Then I see learners milling around outside; the social activity of “cleaning” has begun. He continues, “Actually we are knocking off now-now...”. (that means right now, not now as in sometime later) “ ...because a king in Kwagga is getting married” and he waves his hand vaguely. Two things you must understand...This teacher was very considerate Function for Gr 12 2013
Gr 12 learners. So serious at this occasion in their honour. to come to my room and explain things, because I just keep teaching...where other teachers have a sixth sense for what’s coming and “holler” to each other to find out the news. And he was fine with me turning back to my class to tell them that I needed to keep them to finish up our class time. I had his support, so they didn’t complain...much. They just shake their heads and say “Mem Caroline...” and go on.
To finish the animal stories:
1) I found a frog swimming in the small water pail I use for the cloth to wash down my “white-board” (the backs of posters tacked to the wall). Just went on teaching.
2) I sometimes herd goats out of the school-yard, but I have to work on my aim throwing rocks. If I’m the last to leave school, the gate will have been left open and goats have entered to go after the flowers the learners have planted. This is a project of the Agric Science teacher. When she sees these marauders eating the plants she hollers out to the street, snags a learner to come back to the school yard and asks Function for Gr 12 2013
The dance/drama group was fantastic! him or her to get the goats out. They are much faster at getting the goats out than me. My trouble is: I can’t holler loud enough..or in the right language..for me to get help with goat herding.
3) I hope you didn’t cringe at the rabbit picture. Being married to a hunter and living amongst farmers has made me familiar with preparing meat for the table. (Even though I don’t each much meat myself.) I was in my room late one afternoon with two Gr 12 boys who were painting their T-shirts for the art program. Thabiso came into the room with a rabbit he had just caught. I don’t know whether he trapped it or knocked it out with a rock. The boys were very excited, planning a meal. They started a fire in the far corner of the school yard and skinned the rabbit. I was getting ready to go home and decided to run home for my camera to take their picture. It’s a classic picture-- makes me think of what my late husband, Lance, would have done at their ages. (In case you are wondering--Thabiso, the boy who caught the rabbit, is student body president. He has a key to the gate and Gr 12 classroom and he comes by most evenings to open up the room for the learners to study together. I would say the responsibility is well placed and the learners are “hitting the books” for the most part.)
To end this blog with something that another PCV, George Nishikawa, sent me. The photo of Eddar Stark, Lord of Winterfell, from “Game of Thrones.” Just the kind of escapist story that sustains me these day. George teaches Gr 8 Maths in Kwagga and understands the struggles, so he added the words about teaching. Understanding maps is like a foreign language, to learners here and in the States. It’s all about exposure to using things, maps, measurements, finances...and that exposure is limited. ( I must promote art education at this point, because I think learning to see in different ways will encourage better problem-solving skills.)
I can’t holler yet, but I have gained flexibility living here: I shake my head and say “This country...” and go on teaching. My school has some very dedicated teachers (who have many shoes to fill) and there is learning going on...in its own way. Function for Gr 12 2013
Kagiso alongside the principals from Sele and Ndayi. When I stay at school as late as 5:00 a drama/dance group comes to the school to practice. Maybe there is a young adult from the community who directs them some, but they start by running around the building three times to get warmed up for their dancing. They performed at the function for last year’s Gr 12’s as you can see in the pictures. They also did a skit for an assembly which was in support of “Bring Back Our Girls” for the abducted Nigerian students. I am increasingly impressed with the speaking skills of these learners. They are a great audience for laughing at jokes, and so comfortable speaking in front of the group. I was quite the opposite when I was in school, so I’m a bit jealous.
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Cynthia Hosick
non-member comment
Teaching in South Africa
You have, indeed, had enormous adjustments to make, and huge frustrations to overcome, "Caroline", but I can't imaging any American teacher having been as successful as you have. I have so much admiration and respect for what you have been able to accomplish, and so much awe for the cultural experience you have been willing to tackle. I do so look forward to visiting with you when you return!