Ever wondered what the school staff & students do during the holiday periods? Read on…
I have been talking to the two Heads at Pakati as it is currently the break between Terms 1 & 2. In Zimbabwe, the school terms are 13 weeks straight, then breaks of 4, 4, & 5 weeks (Xmas/New Year).
I know from my own experience between 1989 and 1991, that most teachers/staff will travel to their family homes during these school holiday periods.
I, like many other VSO volunteers, used to travel around Zimbabwe to the various tourist attractions available there (see above).
Pakati schools are in a fairly remote rural area, and as such, the staff mostly will not be locally based, having been posted there by the Murewa-based staffing office. Hence their need to visit family during the holiday periods.
Accotding to both Pakati school Heads – Mr Mahachi (Primary) and Mr Chizenya (Secondary) – the teachers are required to take turns to stay at the school on official duty, covering a week each of each holiday. Primary teachers Mr Gonye & Mr Baloyi are seen in the pictures above & below, on duty this week.
Several of the teachers plant crops to help supplement their food supply, and currently it is the harvesting season for several of the crops. As a result, when on duty they will take the chance to harvest this school holiday.
Sone students are obliged to come in & maintain the school grounds a day each week…
…while extra lessons are provided for Grade 7 (exam classes) students at the Primary school.
It is also a question of security for the school during these school breaks, as they can be vulnerable to break-ins both at the school buildings & teachers houses unfortunately from time to time.
Coming up soon:
We have had some difficulties getting the promised forthcoming podcast involving two guests…
…but we are determined to get these two gentlemen recorded soon telling us how they ended up at Pakati, and what they have to say about Friends of Pakati ‘s work.
To support our efforts:
http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/Friends-of-pakati
