One of Emma’s class periods includes the tutelage of Form II (now Form III. HA!) Biology students. Apparently you move up with your students as they go along in school. Interesting system. There are roughly 30 young Maasae girls n this class. These students would be the equivalent of freshman in the United States. They are now ~sophomores. They are well behaved, significantly better behaved than our unruly youth at that same age and life stage back in the States, and want to learn.
I think that has been what I’ve found most striking since being in this educational space and setting. The fact that these girls recognize what a privilege and opportunity it is to go to school and get an education. Especially considering some of the backgrounds and situations that these girls are leaving back home, i.e., running away from forced/arranged marriages to old Maasae men who they’ve never met.
The enthusiasm I’ve seen for learning, and then the respect and attention that comes with that as the girls listen to lectures and engage with the teacher, has been a real treat and joy. It actually makes me nervous thinking about pursuing an educational role back in the States, and potentially having to deal with rampant apathy and lack of motivation or respect. Eek!
In closing, the last interesting observation I’ve made since interacting and being around these young ladies is that in so many ways they are older and have been given more responsibility, than their counterparts and peers back home. The patriarchy is incredibly strong here. The effects of that are seen from an early age. Children are expected to work, to help cook and clean, to grow up fast.
But then in other ways they are more naïve and idealistic and sheltered than our early teenagers as they start their high school journey. The global worldview and access to media and content and general life lessons that are the foretelling of the end for childhood innocence are less present here. Maybe? The juxtaposition is striking.
To be fair, I could be very wrong, due to being at an all girls boarding school for Maasae women in a fairly small town, so my purview of the Tanzanian social scene, as well as child rearing environment, is small and skewed. But the girls do seem so young so often here. Again, it is a very strange contrast. To come across as old in some ways, and so childish in others.
Tanzanian Times 