No Class Today!

Classes are cancelled frequently in Thailand. This is quite frustrating for Americans teaching in Thailand because we have an agenda! In Thailand, cultural activities take precedence over academic education. Classes may be cancelled because the students must offer food to the monks, as shown in these pictures. Classes are cancelled so students can sell products to raise money for school supplies. Carol had class cancelled because the students had to cut bamboo poles for Scout Camp. Bob has had classes cancelled because the students have to clean the campus or help unload trucks. Last week, parents came to school for a meeting. During the meeting, the principal mentioned that the village must raise $1,250 (about 50,000 baht) so that the students could eat on tables and chairs instead of the dusty concrete slab they have been using for several years. The teachers attended the meeting while the students sat in their rooms. We are having to adjust to this educational bias because we cannot change the culture, nor do we wish to change it! We can only hope to lead by example and present teaching academics as a positive, rewarding activity along with creative approaches.