Today I’m going to tell you about school.
As this blog is written in English I’m sure I’m writing to
an audience who (likely) send their kids to UK or USA public or private
schools.
Today I want to tell you about our school choice here in
Brazil and how it is affecting our family.
We have chosen to send our 6 year old (year 1/first grader)
to a state public school in the south of Brazil where we live. It is in a good
neighbourhood and should be a go to school for the community around it. But it
isn’t. Our son is in a class of 13 children. At the introductory meeting six
families were present from a potential 40 (one class study in the morning and
another in the afternoon).
Why, you may ask. Well so far we have felt the school has given
little or no information. We are not welcome inside the school except once a
year on family day (or the odd open day). We must drop our tiny 6 year old off
at the main gate to make his way amongst giants (14 year olds) to find his
classroom in a place that he has yet to be familiar with. This in itself has
caused several stressful departures and afternoons of sensory play and swimming
(which he luckily has full access to at home). When asked about parent
participation, the school were curious to understand what this might be!
So why do we send him there?
Well, we want to believe that the country we live in and
that they were born in can provide what they need. We are not foreigners
passing through. We are members of this community, town, state and country and
we want it to be better and desirable. And, the other options open to us are
costly but do not bring a significantly better option. Private schools offer
bilingual programs (not necessary for the boys) and perhaps some extra tech
courses but overall the basic education is the same.
Why is this school so bad then?
Well, it’s not! Unfortunately this may be the standard. Unfortunately
it may be ok to speak to people in this manner and disregard children’s
emotional needs. But it shouldn’t be this way.
So, for now our child attends this school and not at his
risk but because legally he must attend school and this is the one we choose.
We will be addressing all the issues and fighting for change. Because without
this parent force nothing will change. We will protect him, help him and
comfort him through all the adjustments like any parent and child have ever
done and he will thrive and blossom. I wish I could say this for all his peers
and every member of that school, but at this time I cannot confidently tell you
that.
So why have I written this to you today?
Because many people think things cannot be soooo bad in
other countries. That’s true on some level. But my experience here is that this
school should be on another level and nobody is working towards that. I want to
help all children to have a fair, balanced and fun education and that needs to
start right here.
If you want to know more or have conflicting views I really
want to hear from you. I want the best for my boys and for all the kids that
will pass through the system. Let’s make this work!
