Parent and teacher co-operation/contention?!!

Went to CH’s school’s PTA AGM, followed by meeting with Class Teacher, Mr. C.

Were told that our P.2 7-year-old Hong Kong kids are incapable of self-care, unwilling to raise hands and ask questions, slow in writing and composition, unwilling to think.

Is it really true?

Are we in a position to judge them.

Did we do our part to inspire, stimulate and nurture them? What are we teaching them? What kind of learning experience are we creating for them?

Are their response in classroom just “normal” reaction to some rigid, authoritative, uninteresting way of teaching?

I am afraid we have much to learn from our kids as well, and much to improve on our part.

Although slightly disorganized, I do appreciate the love and dedication of most of the teachers. Mr. C. spent all his recesses in the classroom with the kids, checking if their handbooks are well written. Considering the long lists of HW to copy and there are 30 kids, it’s a lot of work.

He also inspire the kids to learn Japanese and play ping pong, which is wonderful.

And Mr. L who teaches computer and General Studies patiently explained everything despite his sore throat. Ms M and Mrs C was also quite receptive when we discuss about the English teaching.

 

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The parents were also very concerned and anxious about the computer test next Wednesday. Teacher Mr. L. patiently go over the content, drawing, writing on the blackboard, explaining in details. Parents questions the importance of the test content (use of floppy disks), and grilled L. on each and every details of the test.

“There is no textbook or reference materials, how are we supposed to help our kids to revise? If we cannot do the revision with them, will they be able to get good grades?” That’s is basically the parents’ main concern.

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LHY’s mom raised concern about the strictness of Ms. Con. She is concerned that his son, an active boy, has avertion for Communicative English lesson during which he is asked to sit very still and work hard in colouring, writing disciplinely.

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NCC’s mom hated the way Math was taught. The format is to be strictly adhered to as far as the drawing of lines and how many blank spaces to leave between the words and figures. Isn’t Math about calculation? Her son was so “moulded” by the teacher’s strict teaching that he scared following his mother’s way would not be “right” in the eyes of the teachers. So, it is the mother versus the teacher this time?

Other concerns:

Vocab building up 200 per year not enough for P.2

We should get them to write journal in English, like other schools.

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Called WMC’s father this morning to learn more about their situation. Mrs W, who was herself an experienced teacher, grilled Mr. C last night about assignments went missing.

Where does the responsibilities lie? In a workaholic classroom where a lot of copying and distributing of bits and pieces of papers is concerned, choas do occur.

As a scout leader, I witness a lot of such choas. And the circulation of documents among us is nothing in comparison with a classroom with 30 kids.

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What is education all about?

Where are our priorities?

I know a lot of classmates are giving up extracurricular activities in order to just focus on academic work.

But is it worthwhile and good in the long run.?

On the other hand, giving my son so much activities on Saturday (piano, soccer, swimming, social skill group and grasshoppers meeting) leaves him very little energy for academics.

Parents and teachers do need to cooperate rather than pointing fingers at each other.

We really need to respect each other and co-operate peacefully. We are the model of our kids.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
St. Francis was born at Assisi in 1182. After a care free youth, he turned his back on inherited wealth and committed himself to God. Like many early saints, he lived a very simple life of poverty, and in so doing, gained a reputation of being the friend of animals.  He established the rule of St Francis, which exists today as the Order of St. Francis, or the Franciscans. He died in 1226, aged 44.The prayer has many of the biblical truths of what it means to be a Christian – to seek to give, and in so doing, receive blessings; that the Lord’s Prayer asks God to forgive us as we forgive, and that the goal of eternal life can only result from us putting to death our old sinful lives. ().
Pointers for Prayer : Sometimes Christians are called to turn the world upside down. To bring the exact opposite of what we find in our world. St. Francis’ prayer is a bold one, asking for strength to give of ourselves to meet the needs of others. He recognises that it “is in giving that we receive”, that as we give of ourselves, we receive the peace and blessing of our risen Lord Jesus. We cannot earn eternal life, but that we are pardoned from the sins that block our claim on it.  Think about the situations that you are involved in that require peace, consolation, hope, light and joy.  Then, if you’re bold enough, pray the prayer!

 

 

I am afraid we have more and more questions than answers.