Back to school, back to school...
Day 17!
"Section 29 (1) of South Africa's Constitution reads: "Everyone has the right to a basic education, including adult basic education; and to further education, which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible." According to the South African Schools Act of 1996, schooling is compulsory for all South Africans from the age of seven (grade 1) to the age of 15, or the completion of grade 9."
We learned a great deal about the South African school system but to witness it first hand truly made us grateful of our public education back in the States. The classrooms range in ages of students as it is not a guarantee or even an expectation that children begin their education in kindergarten once they turn five. [There were front pages of newspapers with claims of too many teenagers never having even seen the inside of a classroom before] The schools are also limited in resources making it difficult for both teacher and pupil. However, the universal traits we did pick up in the school environment was that the teachers still go out of their way to genuinely engage each child and the children still have a natural curiosity for the world around them. I was able to shadow a phenomenal teacher with a well-behaved classroom that collectively spoke three languages: xhosa, afrikaans and english. Needless to say when she allowed me to teach the class for the remaining two hours my games consisted of mostly pictures, large gestures, dance moves and an interactive trip outside :)
Welcome to the 2nd grade.
First assignment of the school year, coloring!!!
(It was actually a type of proficiency test)
apple of my eye
&
a dinner fit for kings:
One of the first black-owned restaurants in the area
Emily & Me!
As if we weren't spoiled enough, we got to dine at a fabulous night out. It was a great restaurant with fabulous food, enjoyable entertainment (featured our own teacher on the drums and got some of our group to dance) and hilarious company as usual. We've all become so close that at meal time every plate is up for sharing, every other glass is a milo milkshake and every single dessert must be ordered so that we can try them all!
No comments:
Post a Comment