Nothing sets up the professional culture more than a meeting of Headteachers. In the UK they are essentially civilized, courteous affairs. But then they are usually arranged in a polite purposeful way with due consideration for attendees. I was aware that an important way of taking the professional temperature would be sitting in on such a meeting. A meeting was called this week for all the Headteachers in the Province some 146, the theme was in-service needs for forthcoming year. We are in week 4 of the school year so that seemed reasonable and we had arranged a similar meeting for the Heads of schools we are expected to work in the following week. It might give a sighter.

The man in charge of Primary Education invited Heather and I to join the meeting. We were ushered in and sat either side of the head of teacher certification. We were promptly warmly welcomed and asked to introduce ourselves. We have this off fairly pat now and talked briefly about our experience made a quick joke and talked about our children and grandchildren. There was warm applause.

The room had 14 chairs, Heather and I were using 2 of them, we had hoped to sneak in the back, sneaking was probably ambitious considering our colour and my height. The rest of the 146 headteachers, many of which had travelled for hours to be there, packed 3 deep the perimeter of the dark room with the rising heat of the day.

The meeting started with a lecture that made it clear that headteachers were not working hard enough and that those who had been certificate trained were in imminent danger of being dismissed unless they studied in their own time and achieved diploma status. After all most headteachers lived on the school site and therefore had nothing to distract them. The man in charge stated simply if he could sit in his office and study for a masters degree so could they. Many present had a full time teaching role as well as being heads. This news was greeted by whole hearted applause.

A new speaker then explained that they could all come to a week long workshop.

The meeting then turned to the business of the day, the roll call. Each head was called by name and had to answer whether they were present. No record of this was made and a separate sheet was sent round for attendees to sign. By the end of the meeting it had got maybe ¾ round but many had left before the end. General confusion reigned. The lights went out, noise levels rose as there were demands that the selfish people by the door should open it wider to let light in. This was rebutted by claims that the room was too small for them to get in properly in the first place. Others called across the room for curtains to be opened, around 5 minutes later after calls for order the chair then announced he only had 50 copies of the documentation and could they share. A heated debate ensued as to how these precious sheets could be fairly distributed. Some 10 minutes later a dominant male, there were only five women, worked out that if there were six districts that meant 8 copies per district. I divided the papers into piles of 8 as the chair's hands were shaking violently. He then auctioned off the piles to the loudest voice whilst others loudly negotiated who would give out or copy sheets to whom. After 4 piles were handed out there was only one pile left and two districts remaining. The last pile was divided again.

A simple notice was read out that there would be a 5 day course for the duration of their next holiday in the room they were currently in which would be accredited as units towards a diploma. The course would help them write a headteacher's report and set a budget. The cost was 250 kina per day and a further charge of 20 kina for a packed lunch before going home. They were to find their own accommodation and meals with wantoks in town. The school budget could make a contribution of 270 kina but any further costs for additional days was down to them.

Pandemonium broke out. Everybody spoke at once. Heather was surrounded by closely packed men all trying to make their voice heard at once. I couldn't tell from her face whether she was terrified or astounded. Every now and then a dominant voice broke through often making a reasonable point such as the room was totally unacceptable if over 100 course members were expected and would it be better to relocate to a secondary school in town. The chair of the meeting was so nervous he was jumping up and down in his chair. I was feeling relieved they had left their bush knives at home. Then there appeared to be general agreement that the meeting was over and some two hours after the start everybody drifted off to the bank, the market, to have a beer and generally meander home. That was it, two hours, some travelling for three hours each way, one notice, much venting of views and everybody left cheerful with "plenti" handshakes. I was left wondering if a workshop on meeting management was appropriate under the leadership and management heading or if it was wiser to leave well alone, after all I am the new boy in this culture.

The posting of this blog was delayed by a breakdown of the offexploring website and an attack of malaria for Geoff. However website is now working again and Geoff is recovering but still on medication and rest.