DANSOMAN ONE (D1)

This semester, I decided teach at a public school, Dansoman One. Its a thirty minute walk away from my home. Government or public schools in Ghana(primary level) offer free education(tuition), students are however expected to pay for extra classes if the normal school hours do not suffice. Not too long ago I used to hear these students talk, scream , giggle and laugh loudly as they walked by my house. Sometimes I would look at them through my window, some had worn out uniforms, shoes and bags, but somehow they always seemed happy.

I presented a letter of internship to the head master(Principal) of D1 and my orientation begun the next day. I understudied Miss Vidda , a pleasant lady in her mid fifties. She was and is the Integrated Science teacher for JHS(junior high school) 1 and 2(both made up of two classes; A and B). After the two day orientation she handed JHS 1A and B to me.

I share a cubicle with Mr. Tee, a recently married young man, who teaches Ga(a local dialect).He is the 'golden boy' of the school and seems to know a lot about a lot. He is loved by the students, especially the female students, for good reasons. He being conversational and agreeable is good because I intend to learn a lot about everything from him and hopefully with time I may be able to interact with children myself.

Yesterday, I was told that, about 80% of the students do not live with their biological parents but lived distant relatives or people they weren't related to as house helps. Some are expected to live on 1 Cedi($0.60) a day, which will cater for one meal(not a good one) or transportation over a short distance(in and out). My knowledge 'thus far', is forcing me to lean towards the warm, encouraging and friendly style of teaching.