was announced.
Normally Math and Physical Science happen quite early in the timetable. So,
I was planning on being finished with the school around Nov 26 or 27. I'd
started mapping out a travel itinerary to go straight through Zambia to
Malawi for a week or so, then south and west through Zimbabwe to meet Matt
in Bulawayo on Dec. 14. We'd proceed from there to Vic Falls, then back
across Zim to Mozambique for some tropical vacationing. My Malawi plan is
VERY aggressive in that it covers some serious distance (look at the map).
By my calculations it'd take 4 days and 3 nights to get there from Divundu.
But I really really want to go to Malawi for a whole bunch of reasons.
Anyway, the exam schedule puts Science on Nov. 19 and Math on Dec. 3! This,
my friends, is bad for 2 reasons. 1. It'll only take me 2 days to mark the
science exams, which means from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3 I have nothing, repeat,
absolutely NOTHING to do. That is 11 days. During that time I would help
invigilate the other exams, but that's just sitting in a room. 2. After
finishing marking the math exam, around Dec. 5, I would not have enough time
to get to Malawi and back in time for Matt's arrival. This means spinning
my wheels in the part of Zimbabwe that Matt and I will likely cover when he
comes.
Reason #1 is by far the more troubling issue, but #2 is certainly
bothersome.
I talked to my principal in hopes that the schedule could be changed, but
it's a regional thing so that's not possible. He however, seemed to think
it was no big deal. He said so long as my paperwork was in order, I could
go whenever and he and the other lower level math teacher would mark my
grade 9s.
Herein lays my turmoil. I *could* leave around Nov. 27, avoid the 11 days
of staring at a wall, and realistically follow through with my travel plans.
But: 1. I won't be here for the kids when they take the exam. 2. I won't
be able to oversee calculator distribution. 3. I won't mark their tests,
someone else will who doesn't know what or how I've taught them so the
grades will likely be lower. 4. I won't get to know how they ultimately
did. (Though I could have copies of their scores and who got promoted
mailed to me.)
No one that I've talked to thus far thinks I should or have to stay, and
that includes a Namibian teacher, my principal, another volunteer, my new
friends at a nearby lodge and the WorldTeach assistant field director. But
I feel like a selfish jerk. I mean on one hand I'm here, I've done
everything I know how to do, have endured all kinds of crazy to help and
it's my sanity and desire to have a bit of fun and travel on the line. On
the other hand, I feel like I should see it through to the bitter end and
just deal with the boredom and travel restrictions for the sake of the kids.
But how much is it really going to matter in the end?
I don't have the answer right now. Every time I sit down and think about
it, I ultimately end up thinking I should go with my original plan. But I
can't help the bowling ball that sits in my chest as I arrive at that
conclusion.
Feel free to chime in, but please be gentle with me.
No comments:
Post a Comment