Over the years, many schools and individuals have generously donated a range of resources to Osiligi Obaya. But two main problems have developed and they needed to be tackled during this trip.
Firstly, many of the resources are then kept in a special resource room. Wambua is the keyholder and he takes his duties very seriously. In some ways, he is an excellent person for this job. In the past, there have been issues with school items “disappearing.” Wambua is very honest and totally reliable. He believes his duty is to protect resources and he takes this duty very seriously. He has come up with a full proof method. If no-one is allowed to use the resources – then they cannot be stolen. Fair enough – I can see the logic. But the problem is that this is a school and it could be reasonably argued that there is no point in having the resources unless you use them! Besides which, the resources are crucial if we are going to deliver more pupil-centred approaches in the classrooms. There have been many attempts over the years from teachers and head teachers to get into the room but Wambua has seen them all off!
Secondly, there are some resources that are kept in the library and are more accessible. The only problem here is that the teachers have no idea what they are, what they are for and how they could be used to support the curriculum.
My main mission, is to investigate, sort and catalogue the resources and then teach the staff how to use them. I’m not going to lie – it’s quite a task! The first hurdle is to persuade Wambua to let me cross the threshold.
I explain that I need his help. Roger and Helen do not feel that the teachers sue the resources effectively. My job is to assess, sort and make an inventory before training the teachers. Wambua tells me that he already has an inventory. I tell him that this is excellent news and how helpful it will be to me. I have still not set foot over the door. Perhaps he could show me his inventory? He stares at me suspiciously for a few minutes then reluctantly nods and unpadlocks the door. It is like an Aladdin’s cave of wonders – brimming with boxes, bags and cases, all precariously perched atop each other. I have no idea what is inside and neither does Wambua. Cases and boxes are delivered and stored intact and sometimes unopened!
There are also multiple shelves with random objects: balls, bats, electrical equipment, pens, barbed wire, soft toys, musical instruments. I look at his inventory and praise his efficiency. I begin to open boxes and bags. Everything is mixed in and mixed up. I chance my luck. “ It is too cramped to work in here,” I suggest mildly. “It might be best if we take the boxes elsewhere. Where would he suggest?” Wambua thinks for a moment and then declares that we can take them to the library – which is what I wanted all along! A few hours later, you can barely see the floor of the library. About half of the resources are now in my room.
Result! Now I have to figure out what to do with them.
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