I thought it would be helpful to give you an overview of how school works here as I have learned in the past few months.
The school year consists of 3 terms although not all equal in length.
February to Early May - 3 week break
Late May to Late August - 3 week break
Mid Sept to Mid December - 13 week break
The breaks coincide with planting and harvesting.
All schools in South Sudan charge tuition and it is paid by the term. The government schools also require parents to provide uniforms, school supplies.
The first year at Cush Christian School is taught in Dinka, the local language. They learn to write in their mother tongue. The students begin at age 7 if they are ready. This is known as 1A.
The next year students progress to 1B. This year is spent learning to speak English. I will be helping with this group in the mornings.
The following year students progress to 1C where they learn to read and write English. This is the only class at the school that would look like a typical U.S. classroom. Lydia, my fellow traveler, will be working with this group.
By the time you are 9 - 10 years old you finally make it to grade 2. Grades 2 - 6 use a self paced Christian home-school curriculum that is produced in the United States and sold in 150 countries. So, it is very popular in schools such as Cush Christian School.
The students in Grades 1A - 6 all come in the morning. The students in grades 4-6 function as helpers in the morning this helps them continue to work on their English skills as well as providing help with the younger students. A free lunch is available at school. The ingredients are provided by Samaritan's Purse but the school is responsible for the preparation and record keeping. Two of the students do that task. I am told it is the same meal everyday Sorghum and beans. The teachers will be enjoying this lunch at the school as well.
The students in grades 1A - 3 go home after lunch. The students in grades 4- 6 spend the afternoon completing the self paced curriculum. I will be assisting with tutoring and testing as they complete each level.
There are 170 students at the school. They are running out of space. Currently they are working on funds to erect a 3rd building on the property. There is no shortage of students that want to attend the school but there is a shortage of staff and missionaries. First priority is given to students attending the Christian Churches the mission has planted in the community.
The two reasons the school is in demand - They teach the Bible and they speak good English.
Learning English from a Khawajas is the best. Khawajas = White person.
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| Grade 2 |
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| This is the outside of one of 2 buildings |
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| Somethings are very different and others are very much the same from one school to another |
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| Lots of windows for ventilation and light / no screens |
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| They are out of space so the class I am helping with is meeting in 3 of these shelters, 9 students in each with a Junior teacher |
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| Classroom for 4-6 grade |
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| The only wall decorations are these 2 posters made out of cut up corragated cardboard |
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