It is the last day before the month long Easter holidays. The plan is clear. Parents should arrive for teacher meetings at 8am, this will be followed by a whole school Assembly at 9am (which will last about 2 hours) then there will be more parent meetings before lunch is served to everyone at 12 noon. Then the school is officially closed. It goes without saying that the timings are approximate, in true African style.
I arrive in school at 7am as usual. The more work I can get done today, the less I’ll have to work at the weekend. I head to the Assembly at 9am. There is 1 parent there. I try again at 9.30am. Children are there but they are lining up for morning porridge. Next try is at 10am – it’s definitely getting closer – there are more parents and some teachers too. We finally start at 10.30am – not bad at all by African standards.
First we have the announcement of exam results. The top performing pupils are congratulated and the best class is announced – it is Class 1 with Teacher Paul. This takes quite a long time because Teacher Wasike is announcing in English while Teacher Catherine translates in a mixture of Kiswahili and Maa. It is quite a talent.
Prizegiving
After prayers, led by a parent, it is time for the entertainment. Each class performs a few songs. The surprise is that I am performing with Class 2 and Teacher Noisim. I have taught them the old favourite:
Everywhere we go
People always ask us
Who we are
Where do we come from
And we tell them
We’re from Osiligi
And if they cant hear us
We shout a little louder
Osiligi Obaya /Osiligi Obaya, Osiligi Obaya
I lead and the children repeat. It goes down a bomb with teachers, staff and pupils alike. The class 4 – 6 performance is particularly good with lots of singing and dancing. One boy gets carried away and starts jumping – Maasai style. Unfortunately, I’m not quick enough to capture it on my camera.
Time for speeches. I’m up first. Luckily, I have has some warning about this one – I saw the agenda at 8am- so I’ve had a chance to prepare! See Assembly Speech blog for more details.
Bonface gives a good speech which covers a lot of areas, thanks the staff and parents and highlights the fact that most of the top performers are girls. Time for boys to pull up their socks etc. He also discusses physical punishment and how it is not acceptable in school. Then it is Governor Richard’s turn. It is clear he is well respected in the community. He starts by waxing lyrical on my work in school and the difference I have made in such a short time. It is very kind. He then talks about the girls outstripping the boys in academic performance. He shares his theory that there has been so much focus on including girls that mothers have forgotten their sons. It is time to redress the balance. I’m not sure I agree with his thinking. It would seem to me that boys get quite enough attention in the Maasai culture. He also mentions that a course is taking place next week to ensure teachers are trained in Positive Behaviour Management. It is wonderful to hear the united message about corporal punishment, being shared with parents.
Richard and Bonface
After the speeches, I literally have a queue of people coming to give me greetings, shake my hand and thank me. There is no doubt that all the work has been noticed and appreciated. Then it’s time for lunch – rice and beans – before the school is officially closed. I am surrounded by children bidding farewell. Hopefully, I’ll see them all again in September.
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