Lycee Maba Diakhou Ba Secondary School

Today we visited Lycee Maba Diakhou Ba Secondary School. That is the school where my host teacher, Papa Amadou Seck, teaches. I learned a lot today about their school and their educational system. I learned that teachers in Senegal are paid the same no matter the region they teach in. As long as they have the same educational level (for example, a Masters degree) - they will receive the same pay and housing stipend no matter where they teach. An elementary teacher or middle school or high school teacher all would receive the same pay as well. There was a strike in Nioro a year ago - and teachers were fighting for equal pay. They were on strike for three months. They were fighting for equal pay to other public servants, such as firefighters or police.

In middle school and high school, the students are the ones who stay put in class. The teachers are the ones who travel from class to class.
Because of that, the teachers have a special locked box inside the teacher's lounge where they can store their personal belongings. We were able to meet with the office staff and administration in the morning. I was so happy to talk to the principal - who shared his vision about exchange programs and the value of working together around the world. He stressed the importance that we are all ONE world working TOGETHER.

In Nioro, classes can range from 40 - 90 students. We were in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) class this morning that had 69 students. Later this week, we will be teaching a science class that has 77 students. Students go to school from October to May. Normally, at the high school level, student classes last 1 hour or 2 hours. Our class today lasted one hour. The EFL class was studying relative clauses. The lesson was given lecture style. When the teacher asked questions, students would snap their fingers and raise their hands in the air to get his attention to be called upon. In some classes, students would snap their fingers, raise their hand and call "Sir, Sir, Sir" to get his attention.

After the lesson, Nan and I were able to share about the education system in the USA and information about California, in particular. We shared about the US flag and it's meaning, in addition to a brief geography lesson about California and the US, in general. We passed around pictures and were happy to answer questions and take photos after the lesson was over.

We took a break to come back to the inn to have lunch, before heading back to the English club this afternoon. We came to Senegal with 100 lbs of gifts to give out - and Nan and I are almost completely out of gifts. I am so thankful to everyone who donated items - it has been wonderful being able to hand out items to teachers, students, administrators, family members and anyone we happen to meet on this journey. We are going to meet with the English Club today after school to share more about California and our students. We are taking post cards to have them read and send a note back to the US with us. The gum/candy we brought seems to be a huge hit - with the teachers and students alike. They love the wristbands, lanyards and luggage tags - in addition to the many shirts, bags and pens.