As a Peace Corps volunteer teacher in Lesotho, I’m discovering major cultural differences, even in the classroom. What may seem, “normal” in a school in Lesotho, would be cause for jail, in the U.S.
I’m helping grade 7 prepare a debate on, “Are teachers to be blamed for the poor performance of students?”
While brainstorming points on the affirmative side, one girl, Lineo, who is smart and ambitious, brought up the following points which no longer shock me, as I’ve heard them before.
“Teachers fall in love with their students. This can lead to the poor performance of learners as learners would concentrate more on their affairs with teachers, than on their school work. Apart from that, it would not be easy for teachers to correct their learners when they are in love.”
Some male teachers will fail female students who refuse sex or who report them. I have not had anyone at my school report this, but this seems to be common in high schools as well as with professors in college. The problem is that once the girls fails, they lose their tuition fees in college and are forced to quit. One woman told me about this at the college level and is helping college girls win a lawsuit.
There was a scandal recently when a teacher killed one of his students in high school, after she told her parents she was pregnant. He wanted to “hide” the evidence.
Lineo also wrote about alcohol.
“Use of alcohol by teacher. When drunk, a teacher would not use the appropriate language or examples to learners. In addition a teacher would not prepare his/her work well.”
Lineo brought up a third point regarding teachers checking their cell phones during class, and not paying attention to their students.
In my school, none of the children have cell phones; their parents cannot afford them, however, all the teachers have one. I agree with Lineo, they are addicted to their phones, and although they don’t use them to Google lessons or to show children photos relevant to what they are teaching, they are constantly checking their phones.
Some of the other points the students brought up:
- The teachers are not interested. They are bored.
- Teachers test their students on topics they have not taught
- Teachers arrive late at school, or do not bother to show up
- Teachers hit the children with sticks. (I’ve seen this happen.)
- Teachers don’t speak English to the children, even tough the curriculum is in English
- The teacher is not qualified, or does not teach well
- The teachers are often in conflict with one another
We did a mock debate, and I was teaching the kids how to project their voices, and become more confident in expressing themselves. I can see light bulbs going off in Lineo’s head. I cannot believe her mother died a few days ago, and yet she doesn’t seem to show any sorrow. How come? Was she not close to her?
There are so many things I’m learning about the Basotho culture, and many that I cannot understand.
It takes a lifetime, growing up with a culture like that really to understand how people think. They are also subject to forms of deprivation we don’t think about because they are alien to our culture, but which grow out of the meeting of the two cultures. In other words, they are imported from outside – like the influence of mobile phones and other western goods. In some areas just having a cell phone is important; never mind whether it works. Possession gives status. In other areas it is the contact the phone provides that enhances status, so it is necessary to be seen to be using it a lot – that makes you look important.
The loss of a parent or other family member will be seen differently because, although they may have died, they are still present – as ancestors, who must be considered, consulted and propitiated. Traditional African society does not separate the mundane physical aspects of life from the spiritual ones, they operate together. Even in societies where Christianity has taken root this still holds good that the old beliefs because the old beliefs are still there below the surface. Western minds find this very hard to accommodate be cause we have for so long separated the two. This may be part of why Lineo does not seem distressed by her mother’s death.
It sounds like life is getting very interesting and I’m glad to hear your students are challenging you.
Ian,
I am glad you are able to explain some of the differences due to your thirty years of living in various parts of Africa.
I did ask the teacher about Lineo, and she explained what you said about her mother still being “present.”
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Children Debate Major Cultural Differences-Gutsy Living
I am finding your updates so fascinating. Learning another culture can be very interesting!! Hope you are safe??
Marietta,
Nice to hear from you. Yes, my life is very interesting as I experience new things, daily.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Children Debate Major Cultural Differences-Gutsy Living
It can’t be easy preparing students for a debate on such a crucial subject, but what a wonderful experience for them. I wonder whether
this is new to them or not. Do they enjoy speaking English?
Carol,
The students are gradually starting to speak to me in English. They are shy, and their skills are limited. The sad part is that they are supposed to be taught in English as the curriculum is in English.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Children Debate Major Cultural Differences-Gutsy Living
I first went to China in 1988. I have followed the lives of my students there through letters and visits for more than 28 years. As they married and had children, I followed the lives of their families. Recently, one of the oldest children came to visit me in the U.S. for her 24th birthday. Except for two short student exchange programs, one in Europe, and one in Australia, she has grown up in China. I found it fascinating to see what the Chinese children in their 20s are like now compared to their parents I first knew at the same age. There are few countries that have catapulted from 3rd world to rich in such a short time. In some ways, she still has the Chinese culture of her parents’ day solidly in her personality. In other ways, she is a totally different configuration because of globalization, technology, and money. Perhaps you too will eventually have the chance to see how your students change their culture.
Suellen,
I would love for Lineo to change be one of those who can make some changes. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Sad to say, it has been only a few decades since similar classroom atrocities took place in American classrooms. The fact that we find them outrageous today bears testimony to the power to change. Those students look strong and courageous. Fingers crossed that your exercise in shining light on them will contribute to change there. I appreciate that you told of your confusion, because Ian’s answer pops it all into focus.
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Yes Sharon, I think we tend to forget how things were in our countries 30 or so years ago. I know corporal punishment was OK then, but not sure about the teachers having sex with students in high school.
Well, the idea of having a debate was gutsy for your students; the topic even more gutsy still. I’m appalled that they have had such poor role models (and perhaps educators). That would have been quite the earful. Not that I expect they have seen all that themselves, but in a village, the stories carry around. In the midst of that environment, you are gutsy in working with the students preparing for that debate.
I hope the whole process continues to be good for you. Blessings and Bear hugs!
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