"Education"

Many people assume that a person who goes to school, learns. Some more than others, but in an overall sense, all students are learners to some degree. But can a student really learn when their teacher doesn't even speak a language they can understand? Sometimes we run into this problem when we have a GSI or a professor who speaks limited English, but what I'm referring to is worse. Or what if you, yourself, barely knew your own language because it required lots of money and extra-effort by those around you to learn?

During my first week here I was assigned to work at the SPED center at the Santo Nino elementary school in Tacloban City. After a frustrating first day of chasing little Deaf kids around the yard instead of actually teaching, I figured things would get better. They didn't. I soon discovered that my class of first and second graders weren't in school, but rather daycare. The teacher in charge hardly knows any sign and basically shouts at the students when they don't listen...well no shit lady, they're Deaf. Banging on the podium isn't going to get their attention. The entire process is just one giant miscommunication. The teacher doesn't know sign language and the little sign that my students know made my attempts at communicating near ineffective. The parents of these students are paying a lot of money for a babysitter. Sure, the teacher goes about her lesson teaching basic math skills and English rules, but the absorption rate with the students has to be slim to none. What are these kids supposed to do?

The entire week last week I felt nothing but frustration and sadness. After speaking with several volunteer coordinators in the area, I discovered that this is just how it is here. Some of the wealthy kids can get tutors to enhance their learning, but the percentage of wealth here is very small. School isn't cheap. The families have to pay for the teacher, school supplies, uniforms and any other fees that may arise. Suffice it to say that I am now working at a high school with Deaf students that somehow made it past the rough elementary education I am sure they had to face. I found out that most of the Deaf population here have received no education at all, preventing them from fulfilling their potential.

Be grateful for the education you have received.