MSC archived stories - June 25, 2022
When I last saw Mairani was more than 2 years ago, just before the pandemic. She is nearing her 12th birth milestone soon and starting her high school in August this year – similar to my own student life at her age.
Not to be alarmed by the fact that Mexican families think more than 6 years of school is a luxury perhaps due to school days in Mexico are shorter than those of many other countries. In fact, would you believe the poorest children in Vietnam outperform the most privileged in Mexico?*
The absence of not seeing Mairani absolutely stunned me when I received her follow-up report from a special gift 3 weeks ago, realising how fast they grow at young. It was to help with her education plus something for the newborn 2 puppies (my story dated Feb 6, 2022)
She said "… they (the school supplies) will be very useful when I enter high school. I really needed the supplies for my studies." (full letter in my media)
In contrary to the general perception among Mexican parents, it was encouraging to hear her desire to have an education beyond primary school. She once told me, she wants to be everything.. a teacher, doctor, pastry chef – still exploring her career path by herself.
I think the CI program is real benefit for these children, showing the value of education. As a sponsor going the extra mile I also wanted to cultivate caring nature for others among them. Mairani has brought the dogs to walk along with in our journey now and feels that I'm part of their upbringing too.. blaff !
* www.children.org/learn-more/contact-us/faq/about-child-details/my-school
Mairani is just beautiful - what a wonderful glow of love comes from this girl! Seems like an EG well spent… and omg those statistics on schooling are appalling! As a _world_ we need to do better. So glad you are part of the change.
ReplyDeleteJune 26, 2022
She is a beautiful child! I am happy that your support is motivating her to continue school.
ReplyDeleteJune 26, 2022
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a question.. I don't know if you noticed that stationery she bought has got a scientific calculator. I wonder why curriculum for grade 6 specifies something that they ought to be learning (Math) by first principles at school. This is not just in Mexico but also saw in Guatemala. Is this quite common in the West or Americas?
ReplyDeleteJune 26, 2022
Chelaka, yes it could be that a specific calculator is being requested in the classroom as a tool to learn, because their classroom is crowded and the use of the calculator helps the children and teachers to learn even the basic of Mathematics (because they certainly do not have computers or digiboards in their clasroom).. I don't know if all school request it but it is posible that Mairani's school advice or even request it..
ReplyDeleteJune 28, 2022
I am also reading that she will enter secundary school.. and there indeed a cientific calculator is a must.. Even here, I bought one to my daughter just last year for her first year of segundary..
ReplyDeleteJune 28, 2022
Marie, I'm intrigued! A grade 10 student in Guatemala also told me.. "The scientific calculator is asked by teachers to do various exercises. Most schools ask for them." But just found my concern raised in this discussion.. www.quora.com/Why-are-students-allowed-to-use-a-calculator-in-American-middle-schools-instead-of-trying-to-do-the-mathematical-operations-like-multiplication-division-using-their-mental-math-skills
ReplyDeleteJune 28, 2022
barbmc
ReplyDeleteEducation is very much about job skills for future employment. Today that means having the ability to utilize technology. When I grew up (a long time ago) technology was using a paper and pencil to do the math and metal filing cabinets to store information in. To me it's amazing how much, how quickly, and how easily younger children learn to navigate/ use technology The biggest problem I see,in regards to CI, especially for Indigenous children, those living in rural areas, and those growing up in extreme poverty are the low paying jobs, and the lack of sustainable employment. Sadly, the parents are often right. Often the only jobs available to them don't require a higher level of education. In urban areas there are so many applicants for every job. The poor compete against applicants with more experience or those from higher income families who attended better schools. As for in America,I believe a secondary school student should know to use a calculator. If they haven't mastered basic math by then they'll need it. Some people just suck at math!
June 29, 2022
Thanks for your views. Someone mentioned (in the discussion referred to above) of asking an undergrad student what is one-half of (two and a half) who fumbled with his calculator and after a few frantic attempts, gave up the calculator and did some work on paper and said the answer is one-and a-half! Now that shows to me he got it wrong on paper too! I see using calculator is like asking youth to start wearing a spectacle from early in life to see things through, which is not going to help in their learning process. As mentioned in my story at the start, even the poorest can excel and find good jobs if the education system does allow them to learn.
ReplyDeleteJune 29, 2022