Day four - Kaloleni primary school and debates

Umonga are the champions, my friends! We have just been working on our song and dance moves for the celebrations tomorrow ... We have adapted 'We are the champions' by Queen and also the St Leonard's school song to our situation and have been practicing ... So now I will be humming the song all night! 

The school day started with further observations ... whilst I took Dec to find some new anti malarials ... We then visited Kaloleni Primary school. The school was built in 1958, and looks old ... It has recently had new corrugated iron roofs to some classrooms but looks very run down. The school has nearly 600 children and 31 teachers ... Classes are from 68 students to over 100. Most classes have too few desks and chairs and students are squashed in or sit on the floor. I have been trying to arrange a relationship between Kaloleni and a Bridgnorth primary school for three years ... the primary school were keen and did send some resources the last time I came over, but there are frustrations at this end as contact has not been good ... I will be looking for a new primary school link when we return.

It was fairly emotional at the primary school ... To see such young keen students crammed into classrooms, with no real chance to learn effectively was a little distressing for us all. The headteacher Isaac has really moved the school forward over the four years he has been there but he is really up against it.

We then had a debate in mixed teams, in front of the whole of Umonga secondary school ... The motion that was carried in the end was that 'education is more important than money' ... The debating skills of the Tanzanian students was good as they debate quite often and also get involved in inter school debating competitions. Our students adapted well and got fully involved in the debate. 

Then, we had a Q and A session in front of all 750 students which was a little daunting, but again our students rose well to the occasion, answering questions about our culture, schooling, government system and economics and asking some good questions back.

The late afternoon was spent walking through the covered market ... A fantastic array of foods from all over Tanzania, an experience not to miss ... Then the street market, ending up in a little souvenir shop where many students bought things for home. 

Tea tonight was vegetarian ... Sweet potato stew, Tanzanian beans and the cabbage/kale mixture that is very common ... With water melon for afters ... a very tasty meal.

So, we look forward to our last day at Umonga school tomorrow ... Some observations, a celebration, and a teacher conversation where we will discuss sponsoring three students through sixth form and using the profits from the taste of Tanzania coffee company to fund extra teaching in English and Maths ... I'll drop off to sleep humming we will rock you I'm sure ... We're all looking forward to the reaction to Mr Streeets solo during the transition in the song ... It knocked our students out the first time he added it ... It certainly has impact ... Until tomorrow,

Mr L