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Over the river and out through the suburbs of Yangon. I was taken out to a large monastery that housed over 150 young nuns. The temple system has been a traditional center of education system and I was invited to make a visit and see.
I imagined being taken on a tour or asking questions to the head nun, but by the time some 70 little nuns in pink robes and quietly assembled and a mat had been placed in the front, I figured I'd better do something.
There's no need to explain sign language like give reasons why we're practicing English with our hands. They naturally took to it and covered the alphabet, numbers and a whole mixed bag of words. Maybe they already knew everything because they sat attentively like, "what's next?". It still amazes me how much people can absorb when they see it, even once. I taught letters one time and many caught the difference between "S" and "A" even though it's just a thumb position and despite the fact that they're sitting eight rows back in a crowd of 70.
Obviously, they're ready to learn but we still have to figure out how to make it happen. Some teachers come as volunteers, but otherwise the temple depends on alms and donations to pay the teachers. They don't have computers. Otherwise, I'd just give them everything I have.
It's been raining solid for the last 7 days, but it's spring in Myanmar. There are newspapers selling on the street, NGOs popping up and people are talking. Most keep their skepticism, but I am flabbergasted to hear news of what could not be imagined a few years back.
Education is big. Operating a private school is legal now. Ethnic minority languages are permitted, universities are opening again and the internet is picking up speed.
I get the sense that people have been waiting. They seem poised and ready to move. I'm told the Shan have already finished their own language version of the state curriculum. That was fast!
It will be hard to evaluate the results. When do we know if a teacher can implement what they've been taught? We've made clear guidelines and established concrete methods, but the essence of the lesson has been truly implemented when we see children learn.
That again is a slippery indicator, but one thing I look for is if the teacher appears to care. It's in the body language and I've seen good indications with this group. When it comes to writing, the children get down to business, usually right on the floor and the trainees are right there with them, sometimes taking their hands and guiding them through the letters. Having the children write is usually the time teachers go and take their break, but here I see an invested interest, curiosity and compassion. It looks good.
