We finished the Vacation School in the middle of August and were using the time before the beginning of the new school year to clean, fix, and paint the building and grounds. Everyone was happy and excited about the start of "Year 19". We had been advised by the Education Department that everything was going to be the same for the coming year.
Then….Around noon on the 29th of August, a messenger
from the Education Department arrived with an official looking document in his
hand, looking for Rufino. When he found
Rufino, Rufino was asked to sign it and away he went. Here is what was on the document.
As of
the 31st of August you are no longer the Director of Escuela
Katitawa. You are instructed to give the
keys and all the documents to the new director. (Short form).
Needless to say, the proverbial "Wet Blanket" was thrown over the whole group. We still came every day to finish the work because the School would start on the next Wednesday, the 7th. We were waiting to meet the new Director, who finally showed on Friday the 2nd.
On Friday morning, the new Director came walking up the hill, and when I saw, her I was surprised to see that she was the mother of one of my English students at the library. (In the meantime I assured Rufino that he still had a job with SKY.) We called a meeting of the parents of the students for Monday the 5th to advise them of the changes that had taken place.
On Monday, Rufino introduced the new Director. She told them that classes would begin on the 7th and the hours would be from 7:30 until 1:20. And as of Wednesday the volunteers would not be allowed to participate in any of the classes. This was not her decision, but that of the Director in Pelileo. At this point the parents objected. They all agreed that the reason they sent their children to Katitawa was because of the volunteers.
The result was that all of the parents registered their children at different schools, some in Pelileo and others in Salasaka.
In my opinion, this was exactly what the Minister of Education wanted. They got what wanted last year, this year without a fight. Fanny, the new Director was moved to another school two weeks ago.
Rufino, told me that finally he feels "Free Again".
Even before Fanny was called back, we opened the school to all students who needed help with homework in all subject and are open from 8 until 5, Monday through Friday. Many of our students come from 2 until 5. We give them transportation to and from as well.
Every year for the last 10 we celebrated the four Rymi`s. Last Saturday was no exception. I will have a separate post as soon as I have some pictures.
Please give me your comments. Robert
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