1 Oct - Planning

Planning can occur at any level, and over really any length of time. It's shy to extinct here. Hand-to-mouth might seem a little simplistic, but as we struggle to get anyone to think, it's reasonably accurate. Lesson planning: I used to think that you could walk in and cuff it; occasionally you can. But really, no, a plan, some structure, is necessary. But of course that requires effort and time. Out here is there is plenty of one and the other appears to be guided in every direction but forward. It's like taking all the handfuls of effort and energy which they have, and they have lots, and just when you think they might be put to some logical enterprise, they themselves blow it to the four cardinals. So planning at the lowest level: negligible. Turn up, see how it goes, and leave at the school bell.

This is compounded at so many levels above; so much so that you'd have to be a genius to link all the strands which cause this situation. Yesterday for example, a normal Monday, or so we thought, until Gautam announced that 10 students, himself and 8, yes 8, other teachers were off to a seminar in Kalimpong. And that tomorrow was another public holiday. Step in lesson cover extraordinaire. Flexibility, adapt, lovely sentiment, but there's only so much you can do.

The only positive was that the chap, professor, they went to see extolled with Indian credibility our aim to promote understanding and teaching through doing rather than rote. Hurrah.

Back at school and a game of two halves. In the newly decorated nursery 5 tots sat, bored but immaculately silent, again, while the bell lady let her infant perform in front of them with a ball like some circus dog. It really upset me: what chance do they have? Next priority then, sort out nursery and foster some creative and inquisitive minds.

Meanwhile, I watched in admiration as Parsuram delivered a perfect demonstration, with explanation and scientific control. He gets it and, at present, is the most impressive of all the teachers here. Good explanations, and I nearly jumped for joy as he spontaneously all but did the humans representing particles demonstration with no prompt from me. Class 3 loved it, and so did he. I couldn't have been more proud.

The lack of welfare state continues to draw stark comparison: the way people live is just so different. Has to be. Sarah made the most insightful comment of the week:"look, even the maimed and disabled have to beg just to earn their keep"...

Pictures:

Sarah gives the nursery kids some much needed stimulation; Sarah, Indu and another look at ways to use resources to make activities for the lower classes.