December 2 - 5
Note: In this interview, Debby and Jean were asking Ousseynou Dieng the questions and Tony was translating for us. Ousseynou is sitting with me as I type now, helping me to fill in information. We're using our French/Eng dictionary (thanks to Mrs. Dilts of LEEP).
We went to visit the school on Thursday (I think it was Thursday). Tony, Tim, Steve, Joe, Modou, and I played for about a block approaching the school, so by the time we got there, the kids were jumping out of their seats. They gleamed at us and shook hands, clapped, danced. Most of the kids stayed near their seats, some formed a circle and took turns dancing up a storm inside. They followed us outside as we left , and there was literally "dancing in the streets."
(The rhythms that we played as we approached was "Mbabass" a traditional tama drum song, whose rhythm they all new well. It is social melodic percussion music, music they use to bring the community together, to wake up their feelings, and make the hard work of the day simply fun.)
The classroom was very simple: one room, desks, blackboard, some paper, some individual slates. There was French and Arabic writing on the board. Some of the kids were working in a lesson book. It seemed like a protected compound with high metal doors and high windows.
There was so much excitement when we were there that we didn't get a chance to talk to the kids at all. We plan to go back on Monday to do that.
Ousseynou would very much like to learn how to use computers. Here's a picture of him typing the email we sent yesterday. It was the first time he ever used a computer or any kind of keyboard.
Q. Where do you teach?
A. At ENDA, a school paid for by the French government.
Q. What language do you speak there?
A. We speak only French and study French culture.
Q. What other subjects do you teach there?
A. Reading, writing, math, history, health, geography, and moral discipline.
Q. How old are the children and how many are there?
A. We have 30 boys and girls from the ages of 7 to 12.
Q. Where do the students go when they are 12?
A. They take a test. If they pass, they go to high school. If they do not pass, they go to trade school.
Q. Can every child go to school if they want to?
A. Oh, yes. The Senegalese government schools are free, but there are about 100 students in each class. Our school costs only about $1 per month for the family because it is sponsored by the French. When the parents bring in the children to apply, we interview the family to decide who will be able to attend.
Q. What other private schools are there?
A. There are schools for many other languages, and also religious school for the study of the Koran.
Q. What hours do the children go to school?
A. In my school, they come from 8:00 am til 1:00 and from 6:00 til 9:00. In the afternoon, they attend trade classes to learn sewing and other skills. In the government schools, the hours are from 8 til 12 and 3 til 6.
Q. What do you do if a student does not follow your rules?
A. First we tell them to behave. Some teachers hit the students with a stick on the hand, back, or bottom. The next step would be to call the parents and have a conference. If the child still misbehaves, we let them go.
Q. What do you call misbehaving?
A. Not listening, talking out of turn, being too loud, hitting or pushing other children.
Q. Do you sing in the classroom?
A. Yes, everyday when we get there and when we leave. Sometimes during class, too.
Q. What do you sing?
A. French songs like "Frere Jacques." We don't sing Senegalese songs in the French school.
Q. Do you give homework?
A. Yes, the students do written exercises at home.