tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689571.post2202090828202103686..comments2023-11-05T12:59:29.404+02:00Comments on Csíkszereda musings: The Romanian Education System (2)Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11294221123964774524noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689571.post-73027660753055672252011-04-13T16:50:42.463+03:002011-04-13T16:50:42.463+03:00Hello, Andy,
I have a story to share: it all star...Hello, Andy,<br /><br />I have a story to share: it all started from buying a battery for the clock in the classroom. My daughter, Ana, 11, is in the 5th grade, in what is “intensive English” class, in a normal state school in Bucuresti. <br />Few weeks ago she asked me that we go and buy a battery; I wanted to pay but she insisted to use her money (from her alocatie). I was convinced it’s for her TV remote and forgot about this, until – at the next meeting with parents, Doamna Diriginta said that there are big plans ongoing about our classroom and my daughter created a big stir. <br />What happened: the clock stopped working; nobody seemed bothered except Ana; she waited a couple of days, allowing adults to deal with it and then decided she will take care of this – and not only! She brought the battery at school and convinced a taller boy from 7th grade to replace it. Then she made a list with all things in the class that were not so great: the old blackboard, a spot on the floor, boring empty walls. It seems then she browsed on net and found a company selling “magnetic boards” and asked them for price estimate; she added a sticker found on the street about “raschetat parchet” and initiated a creative contest for what to put on the walls. Apparently she sent all these info on mail to Doamna Diriginta and then asked Domnul Director to organize a contest in all school, about which classroom looks best. Domnul Director happily agreed. <br />Can’t explain the way all parents looked at me; many of them clearly bothered that their children will be involved into something else than homework.<br />Because, guess what: the children were very enthusiastic and they organized themselves in teams for doing different stuff. And nobody told parents about this.<br />Back home, I asked Ana why she never asked my advice or help or not even tell me about it and anyway, how come she came up with such an intricate plan.<br />She left me speechless, saying: “but you would have done the same; you always say not to wait for things to be done by others, but move you ass and do it yourself; and we can do this without adults help; you’re always so busy anyway”.<br />I have to mention that at home, her room is a huge mess.<br />Right: it’s not children job to take care of their class; it’s not parents’ job to pay for all basics a school needs to function normally.<br />And my daughter is right: I gave up long ago to the hope that somebody will help me or even encourage me to do something. But I’ve noticed that if you really want something to happen, you focus your energy on it and soon people will gravitate around you, doing what you ask them to do and bringing their contribution. Or maybe I was just very lucky.ioananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689571.post-57001097604889080822011-03-05T16:58:37.599+02:002011-03-05T16:58:37.599+02:00I understand your rage. We are only in first year ...I understand your rage. We are only in first year of gradinita (Samuel calls it rather fancily playschool) so not much pressure yet. The teacher asked for "medium quality" toilet paper so we offered that without much comment. The school system is heart-wrenching indeed, and in a small provincial town you do not even have a choice really. It is more sad that the bright and hard-working children take this pressure most seriously.Maria Pakucshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01069010952134736118noreply@blogger.com