Ramblings & Matric Farewell

I don’t know how we will complete teaching our syllabi because there seems to be a distraction every day this term. Well, maybe not every day but a couple days per week so far. One week, it was due to awards ceremonies/assemblies for academics and another day for sports. Another week, we had assemblies for talks by the Ministry of Safety about substance abuse and the dangers of driving under the influence. Another day was a motivational presentation by the Ministry of Education to encourage learners to work hard and do well for Namibia. We had an assembly to acknowledge and to protest violence towards women – this was part of a national campaign. Another day we had a longer register period, so teachers and learners could complete the census forms. All these are valid and meaningful activities, but we are lucky to get one day notice and often not even that. It is so hard to stick to a lesson plan when there are so many last-minute disruptions. There is no use in getting frustrated, mad, or stressing over it but that is easier said than done. I just do the best I can and keep learning how to adjust or wing it.

The big event for this week was Friday night’s Matric Farewell. I went to one last year for my host family’s daughter in Okahandja but could only watch them enter the event. This year, as a teacher, I was able to go inside for the dinner. This event is somewhat like our Prom, but it is a fancy dinner, not so much a dance. It is only for the graduating 12th graders and they are not allowed to bring dates from other classes or schools. The 11th graders sponsor, organize, and serve at the event with help from their class sponsor teachers. They literally put out a red carpet on a raised platform for the matriculants (graduates) to walk into the event, complete with adulation from the crowd, photographers, and loud music.

All for now with all my love,
Ellen