This afternoon I asked Tan if he could take me on a tour of his former high school. It's next to the bishop's house. Here is the end of one of the two three-story wings. The school is 10th to 12th grade only.
These are the covered enclosures for bicycles. During classes, they are locked so that they can't be stolen. This one of only two open spaces on the campus. One of the others is a courtyard and the third is a small cement area that has three basketball hoops. I watched some of the taller kids playing.
Each classroom houses 40-50 students who stay together the entire three years. Here, the students stay in the same room all day and the teachers rotate. This would seem to get really boring for the students, but Tan says they like being together and make lasting friendships. I wonder how this effects courses like science that need specialized equipment. Tan told me that they just started a computer class.
There is a courtyard between the two wings and trees are planted for some shade. The students go to school in the morning, go home for lunch and a siesta, then return to school for the afternoon. Next week, the graduating students will take their tests to see who will be allowed to go to the university. The higher the grade, the better the university. But there is a lower cut off: one for those who will not be allowed more school and must go to work right away, and those a bit above who will be able to attend a trade school. The only problem with getting admitted to higher education is that these people are poor, and they have to pay for tuition, books, and living expenses. That could amount to almost $1,000 a year, a fortune to most.
The grounds were owned by the Catholic Church before the Communists took over, who then confiscated them. This old building on the grounds used to be a small chapel. Now it is used for storage.
The front of the administration building is decorated with Uncle Ho's picture and favorite sayings. This is where the principal's office is along with one of the two libraries. It is also the only place with air conditioning.
This afternoon I asked Tan if he could take me on a tour of his former high school. It's next to the bishop's house. Here is the end of one of the two three-story wings. The school is 10th to 12th grade only.
These are the covered enclosures for bicycles. During classes, they are locked so that they can't be stolen. This one of only two open spaces on the campus. One of the others is a courtyard and the third is a small cement area that has three basketball hoops. I watched some of the taller kids playing.
Each classroom houses 40-50 students who stay together the entire three years. Here, the students stay in the same room all day and the teachers rotate. This would seem to get really boring for the students, but Tan says they like being together and make lasting friendships. I wonder how this effects courses like science that need specialized equipment. Tan told me that they just started a computer class.
There is a courtyard between the two wings and trees are planted for some shade. The students go to school in the morning, go home for lunch and a siesta, then return to school for the afternoon. Next week, the graduating students will take their tests to see who will be allowed to go to the university. The higher the grade, the better the university. But there is a lower cut off: one for those who will not be allowed more school and must go to work right away, and those a bit above who will be able to attend a trade school. The only problem with getting admitted to higher education is that these people are poor, and they have to pay for tuition, books, and living expenses. That could amount to almost $1,000 a year, a fortune to most.
The grounds were owned by the Catholic Church before the Communists took over, who then confiscated them. This old building on the grounds used to be a small chapel. Now it is used for storage.
The front of the administration building is decorated with Uncle Ho's picture and favorite sayings. This is where the principal's office is along with one of the two libraries. It is also the only place with air conditioning.
