Monday- Thursday, lots of research! The internet here is very very slow which makes researching online a bit painful.
Did a bit on the computer Monday throughout the day, met with our professor for individual consultations on Tuesday, and had two different school visits scheduled.
My topic has shifted a little bit to look at the government policies created in an attempt to equalize access, resources etc. in terms of education. I spoke with a number of students from two drastically different schools about the resources they have, the challenges they face, and how they think their own schooling compares to others in South Africa. It was really interesting. (To give you an idea of the differences in schools I've seen, the first one today's biggest concern was not being able to provide a 8 million rand astroturf covering for their sports field, while the second school struggles to have kids complete science labs because of a lack of functional equipment. The first school's fees for students were 21,000 rand per year, while the second were 8,000. Imagine the schools that collect no fees at all.)
At the first school, they let me ask questions to an entire class for 20 minutes. As I finished a bit early, I let them ask any questions they have of me. 1. Had I ever been to "Madiba?" (A South African restaurant in Brooklyn) Yes, I had. As a group we went before our trip. It's near my old neighborhood. They were thrilled. 2. Are schools in the U.S. really like "High School Musical?" Hmm, well I hadn't seen that movie, though I do know what it is. I told them my students really love that movie, but that schools in NYC were really nothing like that. Maybe in other parts of the states. They laughed. 3. Why don't our kids wear uniforms in public schools? That I didn't have an answer to. I told them that some did but that if they did, the uniforms were much more informal- khakis, a polo etc.
At the second school, kids wanted to know about what American students thought about South Africa. We told them the common misconceptions they have and they laughed about that too. They asked about the differences between our schools and theirs. One, I said, was the formality. When I walk into a classroom as an adult here, all the students stand and wait for me to greet them before they are allowed to sit down. "Good morning, ma'm!" they cheer in return. It's definitely an odd feeling and a big adjustment! Two, the biggest one, is probably the integration of religion into all studies and schooling here. School days start with a prayer and end with one too. They were shocked to hear that that wouldn't fly in public schools at home. (Technically, it's not legal here either, but South Africa has a very strong Christian tradition, and most families encourage it in schools.)
We had a class meeting last night and will have our last one tonight.
As I scramble to do my research before presenting on Sunday, we are trying to squeeze as much fun stuff in in the last few days. Today, I have an appointment to interview a woman from the University of Pretoria. Tonight, a group of students we met from the local university want to take us out to wish us well before we leave S.A.. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to make it to the Voortrekker Monument, a pretty controversial site commemorating the Afrikaner victory in the Battle of Blood River, a sign which they took as "divine" proof of their right to rule S.A.. We might meet up with a speaker we loved hearing here for lunch. In the evening, the group is going to participate in a drum circle, which should be fun. Saturday there's a lot of different options- a "neighborgoods" market in Jo-burg, Christmas in July nearby and the like.
Sunday is the day of our final presentations and a farewell lunch then PACKING.
Can't believe the trip has gone by so fast.
Time to work!
Maura
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