Today was a pretty damn gloomy day. Will just informed our group that the Western Cape Education Department has asked the principal of Ukhanyo to assess the abilities of the primary schools teachers. Usually I would say fantastic! Since Ukhanyo needs as much help as it can get, it seems like a logical step to assess where in the school they do need help, and where they do not need help! But the Principal has interpreted this request from WDEC as "we need to know how good your teachers are at their job, so take the volunteers out of the classroom." Andrew, Neal, Jenny, and I have been forced out of the classrooms where we have taught for the last month. Why? Not because we are doing a poor job (in fact the teachers freak out whenever we aren't assisting them, they really depend on our assistance), not because our help is needed elsewhere, just because that is how the principal has interpreted the WCED's request. I took it rough when I had to move out of my first class, and I had only been there for 2 days. I've been in Miss Xhabsy's class for a month...I have become so close with my class I can't explain it. I bring kids presents when it is there birthdays, I share my lunch with them, they do me a favor whenever I ask them to, they smile and give me a thumbs up whenever I see them (and vice versa), I know all of their names...I am heart broken that I can no longer teach them. It seems ludicrous that the WCED wants to help the school and as a method of assistance they are removing the help that we as volunteers offer. I guess it just gives us a little insight on how poor the education system is here in South African townships.
A not so happy cheers :(
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