This week, the children were on holiday from school, so the ‘Big School’ was eerily quiet.  There were a few kids around for extra tuition, but on the whole, it was a week for teachers.  I use the term advisedly, as it actually was ‘National Teachers’ Day’ during that week, and there were umpteen competitions in which teachers could take part – and they did.  Such competitiveness you would not believe.  From sports to methodology, the teachers prepared for their chosen discipline and thought of nothing else the whole week.  Unfortunately, my counterpart, the Director was taken ill and spent the week in hospital, so Zulaa and I did a lot of ‘going home early’ this week.  The word is that the Director is feeling much better and will be home soon.  She should be back to work when I next return to her school, the week after next.

The ‘Big School’

Meanwhile, I am helping the two school communities to conduct a ’self-evaluation’ exercise.    From here on, I shall be busy collating the results of the questionnaires from senior and middle management, staff, parents and pupils of both schools.  These results will form the basis of each school’s improvement and action plan and should give us all, lots of helpful data to be used in formulating the plans, both strategic and operational. So life goes on, and can be simple and mundane, here, just like anywhere else.  Though not everywhere would you meet what are regarded as everyday sights  in Mongolia!   Is this anything like your local ‘Farmers’ Market’?.        

 

This little piggy………Then, just around the corner!

Did I say mundane?  it may be that, but for me, never dull. and of course there were the usual Wednesday and Friday  meals together, for any vols who can make it.  Always a good session of catching up with the news from far and near. All the talk, now is how  everyone is mentally bracing themselves  for Tsagaan sar, the next big Festival in February.   

Following that, big changes amongst us ‘foreigners’.   Maarten and Angus, will go home to Holland and Scotland, respectively, after having spent two years, working here in Choybalsan.  Three new volunteers will arrive for short-term placements.   As I said, never a dull moment!  Then, of course,  there are the holidays – Lesley and Agnieska have already gone to enjoy their two weeks leave.  I am due to go off around the 13 February, and I have some tentative plans for that break.  I shall  have more to say about it at a later date.  In the meantime, I am meeting Deborah for dinner tonight.  She is missing her pal, Agnieska.