TRUMPETS, TRUCKS AND KARAOKE

15th November 2008

We finally got the ticket times changed in Goroka.It was not without event.On the way down, the PMV got a flat tyre.We pulled over and there was great consternation amongst the bus crew as to where the spare was located. (we were deeply impressed that there was a spare tyre!) This was eventually located and released - bald, but it was round!We arrived in Goroka without further mishap, successfully sorted our tickets, had lunch in The Bird and made our way to find the PMV home, when a voice shouted from across the road, 'Johnny Boy!'We turned to see a young man striding towards us sporting a wide, red grin.It was a young man who had attached himself to us once when we were out walking - where the 'Johnny Boy' came from I'm not sure, as it's usually only our children that call him that!!

We made it home in one piece, to find on our balcony a large bunch of peanuts, and onions straight out of the ground, left there by a neighbour - they were delicious too.It was a neighbour who knitted John the hat - see picture, which nearly ended us with laughing so much.I think she thought John had a pin head - she has threatened to knit him another one and I'm leaving him to field the polite refusal!

Corruption is rife throughout the country, but even exists at school level.We discovered that the Board of Governors, who have a say in which teachers are appointed next year, are not averse to bribery!Also, when we suggested to the Management team that they have a Board meeting to discuss the new reporting system, they refused to do so because it was too expensive - the governors charge the school for their services - a nice little earner!As a result, we are getting a little more discerning in our judgement of events.

We sometimes go walking first thing in the morning, when it's not too hot.On these excursions we noticed plenty of locals planting gardens along the roadside and in front of their houses.I was waxing lyrical about how hard working they were and how beautiful everywhere looked when John snorted and grunted (it was early morning) and replied, 'Bet there's money in it for them'.He was right.The local MP who wants to be elected again, has suddenly come up with money to beautify the town and pays people 50Kina (10.00) for every 5 metres of garden dug, so everyone's at it, shoving in plants all over the place!This same governor promised the school a new truck this time last year, during his speech at the graduation event.This truck is now being delivered (1 year on, just before re-election) amidst great pomp and circumstance.This event happened to-day. Yesterday, the head announced he hadn't heard what the programme would be - he was waiting to hear.He gave instructions that the students were not to be told until to-day (in case those with sense decided not to come to school).To-day in morning briefing, (9 teachers attended out of 28) the head said he was still waiting to hear what the programme for the event was.He hadn't had confirmation where or when it was to be held.So it was decided that lessons would go on as normal during the morning and once the head had been told of the programme, the teachers and students would go to the appropriate place at the appropriate time (ish!).So, teachers disappear, students wander about and no-one knows what the heck's going on.Eventually, someone told somebody who told someone else to tell the head the programme and students and teachers (what there was of them - the rest had gone off to start their week-end early) went off to witness this grand presentation.Thankfully, we were otherwise engaged.

We were very pleased with ourselves at the beginning of the week.We had designed a new reporting system for the whole province of Simbu (in line with the New Reform Curriculum).We sold it, not without difficulty, to all the headteachers and the Provincial Education Adviser, plus the teachers at Kundiawa High School.We persuaded the Provincial Adviser to pay for the printing of it for all schools, which amounts to many thousands of copies - he has no money but hey ho!

We have advised schools that reports should be started by next week, which meant we had to have everything ready by this Friday for schools to pick up the reports from the education offices by to-day.All was looking good and on Monday we reckoned all should be completed easily by Friday, forgetting of course that this is PNG!So, Monday morning we get to the education offices where the photocopier is, to find we couldn't get in because a conference was going on (no-one had mentioned this when the photocopying was arranged.)Undeterred, we turn up bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to start on Tuesday - no power!!We managed to get cracking later in the day when the power came on and made another early start on Wednesday, going great guns with a good production line, but had to finish early, as the power went off again.Thursday morning, doom and gloom, the toner had run out, there was no money to buy another one and a clerk was dispatched to try and get one on credit, (no money in the education budget) as there were still many hundreds to print and collate.The toner was purchased, the power was on and we returned to our task - the room was in use and we couldn't continue.Once they had vacated the room in the late afternoon, we were able to do another couple of hours work before having to return home because it was getting dark.John arranged with the administration to gain access at 7am the following morning, when we hoped we would have enough time to get finished.This was our Friday morning:

• John rises at dawn and gets to the Ed. Offices as arranged - all locked, no-one to open up.The officer who had agreed to do it had not turned up, he had the only key!
• I have to facilitate a meeting in the library that morning, for all Personal Development Co-ordinators from the Simbu secondary schools.I had checked the day before with the library assistant that she would prepare refreshments for us.
• I ring John to see how he's doing (and wished I hadn't) - the officer with the key turned up at 9.30am (two and a half hours wasted, no apology nor explanation!)
• I prepare for the meeting and get a phone call from the teacher who was supposed to run it (my role was facilitation), to say he couldn't get in because the heavy rain had made the road impassable - would I run the meeting?
• I go to the library to set up refreshments - it's locked.There is only one key and this was wrestled only this week from the librarian, who had taken up residence in the library.It was commandeered by Mr Incompetent, who was no-where to be found, he hadn't yet put in an appearance, it was only 10am after all and school starts at 7.45am.
• I beetle down to his house and extract the key from him.
• I enter the library - no sign of the urn for coffee and the library assistant doesn't appear, neither, for that matter, does anyone else.15 were expected and I'd worked late last night preparing stuff for the meeting.The good news was, I didn't need the ruddy urn nor the library assistant, so after waiting for 45 minutes, I packed up and went home, to be greeted by loud, repetitious and discordant trumpet practise, going on in the church nearby, which nearly finished me off!
• I rang John, who was well on the way to finishing and I begged him to let me help - anything to get away from the dreaded trumpets!
• We got all the reports into pigeon holes by midday! Whew!
• What are the chances that we go and check on Monday and find no-one has picked any up!!

Preparations for graduation, which happens in a couple of week's time, is the main topic of discussion - lots of tok, tok and not a lot of action.I drafted them an invitation letter last week, but because the guest list hasn't been finalised, it hasn't yet been sent.The guest speaker hasn't been decided upon either.There is the skeleton of a hall up on the field, which only has a roof at the moment.The plan is to have graduation in this hall, so some random men, without a cement mixer, are trying to concrete the floor in time for graduation.It's a huge task, as it's as big as a decent sports hall.Not to worry though, the head decided that if the teachers weren't doing anything much with the students, they (the students) could go and do some concreting.So, watch this space, will the floor be finished in time………………..?I'll let you know when we come home in 20 day's.Hopefully we will still be sane!

We've been invited to a debate on the New reform Curriculum tonight in a local hostelry.The programme also involves karaoke, a beauty contest and dancing.Rather a discordant mix we thought, so we're going to lie low and down a few glasses of cough mixture (sorry, wine) - well, it is Friday night after all - what I wouldn't give for a gin and tonic with ice and lemon!!!!

Love to all from us both - have you done your Christmas shopping yet?

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