The Beginning Realities of Teaching in Africa

So I figured it was about time to actually begin talking about what I have been doing day to day. The past few weeks have been dedicated to a program Peace Corps Namibia just started called Model School. About two years ago the trainees said that they wanted more technical training before beginning their service as trainers. Listening to presentations about classroom management, lesson planning, and teaching to multiple skill levels was only so helpful; trainees wanted more. So last year was the first year that Model School was launched. Pre-Service Training (PST) is scheduled conveniently during a school holiday break for Namibian learners. During this break Peace Corps rents out a local school and students voluntarily come to our fake classes allowing us to practice teaching techniques and become slightly more comfortable in the classroom. Immediately, us Americans thought to ourselves “yeah this would never happen in the US, volunteering to come to school on a holiday? You couldn’t even pay kids.” This thought process was reason for our complete and utter shock when 800 kids showed up for our Model School Fun Day.

            Fun Day was a day hosted at the Okahandja Soccer Park, it included a free lunch and was an afternoon of various games with the intention of us new teachers meeting with some of our new students. There were soccer games, netball games (which is a slightly more confusing game of basketball), volleyball games, dance lessons (Namibians totally digged the Cupid Shuffle and the Cha Cha Slide), yoga sessions, and a talent show. All thrown together in a short few days. When 800 learners showed up we were shocked especially since our Peace Corps staff members were telling us we only had a budget for 400 learners for the next two days.  Here is the album of pictures from Fun Day https://www.facebook.com/shannon.riley1214/media_set?set=a.10200619336546876.1073741830.1263690154&type=3 

            I decided to learn (or try to learn) how to play netball. I figured, yeah I had basketball experience and being taller and twice the size of most girls playing I could at least put up a fight. Yeah no. These girls were crazy good. There was no ay I or any of us other white girls were keeping up.

            So even though 800 turned up for Fun Day, thankfully on the first day on school only 575 arrived. This was still almost 200 more students that we could afford. We tried to help think of solutions to help these enthusiastic kids and so many of us trainees stepped forward and said we didn’t mind teaching to larger classes. Teaching larger classes at site is potentially a huge reality for many of us so we figured we wouldn’t mind the extra challenge. We were then told a harsh reality, many of the kids are actually here, at school on a holiday, because they are promised a meal.  Whether coming was their choice or not, this could potentially be the only meal these kids get all day. We couldn’t promise nearly 600 kids lunch for two weeks when we only had the money for 400 so if they were not there for 8am registration on Monday they were not getting a spot. (Mind you we were still all in utter disbelief that 575 kids from one town showed up for holiday school.)

            Monday was completely hectic. Our first two days we would be observing Namibian teachers to get in the swing of things and unfortunately there were half as many teachers as trainees so we were told classes would be slightly larger. By slightly larger we didn’t realize they meant over 80 students and one teacher. This classroom was also about half the size of an American classroom (at least from what I remember). There were kids sitting on desks and sharing chairs, mind you one chair could probably fit half my butt, like those kindergarten size chairs where your knees almost touch your chest. Not only were we shocked that the registration room continued to send student to our room, every student was completely excited to be there.  There was so much enthusiasm and excitement, we just added it to the list of things that we couldn’t explain and that would never happen in the United States.

            Adding to the things that would result in a lawsuit and the suing of a school district in the United States includes broken desks and chairs. When Derek and I (Derek and I are partnered during Model School co-teaching and observing one another) arrived in our classroom, we attempted to set it up and quickly realized that half the desks at the tops just sitting on the base and half the chair seat just placed on the legs. Many of the chairs are cracked or have giant holes in them making it nearly impossible or a type of core workout just to sit in. Not nearly up to any standard that would be fought over in the US.

            On top of the sad conditions of desks and chairs, I will say that it is a very humbling experience to teach with little to no resources. We were given the nation wide syllabus for English learning in Namibia and told have fun. Although we have been given a “Zero Prep” help book, teacher resources are limited. Actually, resources in general are limited. Actually almost non existent. At least right now we are encouraged to try teaching non-promotional classes such as art and PE. Our resources: paper, a pen, and whatever you can find outside. Unless you want to invest your own money. I am going to be the most resourceful person after my time here!

            Amid these conditions, the students really were excited to be with us over their holiday. Derek and I asked our students for homework to write us a letter talking about themselves not only to find out how they write but to also try to get to know them in the short time we have together. We got some interesting responses including “You need to know about me that I am are girl of swag.” But also some very heartfelt thanks for teaching them English over their holiday. We were told how grateful our students were to have a respectful teacher who was nice.

            Now generally, letters like these would make you think those are the teacher’s pet. Unfortunately this is probably not the case. Corporal punishment has been a method of classroom management for a very long time. While it is officially outlawed, that is more so just on paper unfortunately. Many teachers today see this as the only way to handle trouble makers in the classroom because it has always worked for them. Many younger teachers have gone through schooling where this is all they have ever known. In the room where we were teaching we found a large stick, some metal thing, and a windshield wiper on the teachers desk left there during the holiday. While we quickly confiscated that it still did not stop a Namibian teacher that we were observing from smacking a kid on the top of the head who was goofing off with his friends who were sitting by him. The teacher was spoken to and apologized to those of us who were watching him. He was clearly embarrassed but used the excuse that its all he knows and sometimes its just his reaction. He assured us it would never happen to which I just sternly replied that I hoped it never would either. Unfortunately this is might be a reoccurring struggle that I will be faced with as I move to my permanent site.

In continuing with the harsh realities that living and teaching in Africa bring there were a few children who missed the registration time. We absolutely could not sign them up and we told them to come back next year. Before escorting some of them away from the school because they were sneaking into classes they gave one of us this note.

After reading it we not only realized just how important education was to many of these kids but that they would give up a lot just to be taught, especially by an American.

On a happier note, I find out my permanent site placement on Wednesday! So brace for big news!!