Bhubaneswar Training Day One
We began our state level training on January 21st. There are teachers from 30 districts within the state of Orissa. They speak a different language here called Odia. Students in this state learn 4 languages – Odia, English, Hindi and Sanscrit. Each has their own different alphabet to boot. I thought high school French was hard!
Our day started with registration and then a scramble of opening ceremonies. The commissioner of education was to be at the hall at 11:00 a.m. When they first thought she was coming, flowers were handed out and people scambled around to get ready. Then she wasn’t coming, so flowers were taken back and we started the day. Then she was coming, so flowers were again handed out, chairs were put on the platform and the ceremonies began. The speech my the commissioner of education was very good. She spoke articulately and passionately about their goals for education in Orissa. She was very positive about the work of the AIPTF and the program we are introducing to these teachers.
During the ceremonies there was a great deal of commotion going on. They forgot to hang the banner, so the photographer and TV camera man had to reshoot their footage. The commissioner of education took a cell phone call half way through her speech. Murray was asked to talk and fill time so the TV guy could get enough footage. I gave an interview for the local paper and other of the leaders present were giving interviews for TV. Apparently this training is a big deal. It is certainly important to raise the status of teachers and this seemed to be meeting that need. The most interesting question the young reporter asked me was, “What is wrong with the teachers in Orissa?” I assured her that there was nothing wrong with the teachers and that all teachers are doing excellent work. I explained that we were supporting their ministry of education’s goal of quality teaching. It is interesting that the perception in every country is that there must be something wrong with the teachers, as if they work in a vacuum away from community, family and other social pressures. So, if you’re watching the local Bhubaneswar news or get their paper, I’m sure you’ll see our smiling faces!
After that, we began our workshop. As always, it takes a while to overcome the language barrier and find the groove that works for everyone. After moving the tables closer and setting norms that silenced the cell phones and the conversations going on at the back of the room, we were really under way. As the day progressed, the participants became more comfortable with us and the processes we were using and we made some good progress, actually finishing our agenda for the day!
We met Tish after work and she spirited us off to a restaurant she had found. We had a very good meal and were entertained by a man and a woman and their synthesizer playing cheesy western type tunes with somewhat Indian singing over top. Yikes. We had the same thing in Delhi at the hotel restaurant. I’m not sure why in a land with such a rich musical heritage they love, or think others love, this musak they are playing. Afterwards we spotted a sweets shop and bought a few to sample when we got back to the hotel. They were great!
Bhubaneswar Training Day Two
We’ve decided to move to a new hotel that is newer and more modern. We all have a need for hot water 24/7 and we think our AC units are just spewing out mould. Other than that, the hotel has been OK. We’ll be staying at a new hotel chain called Ginger. It is very modern and very clean, according to Tish. It is also half the price! About $40 a night.
Here are some shots of what is just out the front door of our hotel and on our walk to work each day:
Day two of our training went very well. We covered a number of different instructional strategies today and both we and the participants were more comfortable working together. They treat us wonderfully – the bring food, won’t let us stand, carry things and really work to ensure we are comfortable and happy. It is quite something.
During the sessions today we taught instructional strategies and then had the participants demonstrate them for us. They created great examples of placemat activities and concept attainment lessons. Even better, they all did their homework from the previous night. We have found a participant volunteer to do some translating, so it helps speed things along. During the day I realized I needed some beads or something to do an activity. I grabbed one of the food service staff and we set off across the street to the market. I found a bulk bin area full of peas, lentils and such (cockroaches and all!) and bought some peas for the lesson.
All of the markers we distributed and now my pen have mysteriously disappeared during the workshop. When I asked who had a marker from yesterday, no one had one. Hmmmm . . . . We finally found a store that sold pens (no small feat) and I bought some pens and Murray bought two more boxes of markers, which I anticipate will also mysteriously vanish by day five.
Here are Debbie and Murray in action:
Here’s a shot of the types of businesses that surround the hotel where we are working:
After training today, we had our usual debrief/planning session, then went to see the treasures Tish managed to find in the market. She had some great Pipli art, incredible silk, and other goodies for dirt cheap. We set off together for the market as soon as we could. The market is a huge area of small shops selling everything imaginable. We cruised the shops for about an hour and a half then went to the Hare Krishna restaurant for supper. It was very well decorated and the food was awesome!
Here is a shot of the market:
Tomorrow we begin day three of training when we will begin preparing the participants to make their own presentations on instructional strategies.
We are also off to the wedding tomorrow night! We’re very excited to be able to participate in a once in a lifetime (unless you’re Murray) event.
More soon!
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