EXAMINATION FRACAS

25th April 2010

It all started just under a couple of weeks ago.Teachers have been complaining because they have received no information about the examinations to be held at the end of the year, which will be different from previously, owing to the introduction of the Reform Curriculum.Exam specifications for every subject arrived, so it was decided to set up a mock exam to give it a trial - term due to finish the following week.So, all hands on deck to prepare mock papers.The day before the first papers were to be given to students, the majority of subjects had not submitted their papers for typing and photocopying.To add insult to injury, the photocopying machine was baggerup anyway, so other means to get papers photocopied at the last minute (as usual) had to be found.Papers were dispatched to other schools and various photocopying outlets across the town.

The next morning at briefing, the examination schedule was changed and posted on the noticeboard, as many of the papers weren't ready and many of those that were had mistakes on them or were illegible.Half the staff weren't in briefing, so the changes, as a result of the photocopying debacle, weren't noticed by all.This resulted in many staff arriving late not knowing what they were supposed to be doing and one member of staff who was drunk, marauded around the staffroom shouting - so chaos reigned (nothing new there then!).

It was decided that as teachers and students found it impossible to ring the bell between lessons at the correct time normally (especially as the one clock in the staffroom was usually wrong) the task would be given to the librarian's assistant.The result of this was that the bell got rung at unrelated random times, so no-one seemed to know whether an exam was supposed to have started, finished or whether to evacuate because of fire!This situation was compounded by a teacher deciding half way through the science exam that the students didn't have enough time to finish, so, without telling all the staff who were supervising, decided, half way through the exam, to extend the time by 30 minutes.This resulted in some students having 30 minutes more than the others to finish, so how that's going to be reconciled I dread to think.

Not all staff turned up to supervise the exams, so I offered my services as standby.I duly went to my allotted classroom and did the necessaries to get the Maths exam started, whereupon, the Departmental Head of Maths bowled into the room to tell me I needn't stay in the room for the whole time, but suggested I went for some lunch and came back at the end to collect the papers!This is called exam invigilation? I politely refused and was horrified to view from the classroom window, teachers who were supposed to be supervising an exam, wandering about outside, chatting and chewing buai!!

To try and help out, John and I set the Personal Development paper (which includes a PE element) to try and demonstrate how to do it according to the specifications laid down by the Nat. Dept of Education.The department members were happy with the paper, but failed to note a mistake we had made.One question we set, asked students to identify the different fitness components required by a marathon runner and a gymnast.We found out after the exam, that the students had never come across the word "gymnast" and hadn't a clue what it meant (they don't teach gymnastics in school and of course won't have seen it on TV).This wasn't a disaster though, as it was one of three questions from which they had to choose one(something they'd never had to do before though).But what took the biscuit, was when a member of the department asked me to mark his papers for him!!I politely declined!

Talking of chaos, there is a launch of something or other in the town to-day. There seems to be a launch of something or other frequently, as people love any chance to get dressed up in tribal gear, forget about work and celebrate.Our one hope is that it's never anything nuclear to be launched, as without a doubt, the wrong button would be pressed at the wrong time and facing the wrong direction!!So town was full of fat politicians in big cars with smoked windows driving around, people in tribal costume and lots of noise.

It was a pay Friday too, which added to the general air of festivity and drunkenness.John and I were heading for the refuge of the house, after trying to sort out an electricity bill (unsuccessfully) and going in to complain yet again about our lack of water, when we got level with the police station.Lined up outside in rows of 6-8 were the police in a semblance of uniform, waiting to march somewhere, to make their contribution to the celebration.We decided we needed a laugh after the machinations at the electricity offices, so we stopped to watch.The first attempt to get them marching was aborted, as one line went slower than the one behind, so there was a collision and everyone stopped.Another attempt was made.This got them moving at roughly the same pace, but the unfortunate thing was that some started with their left foot and others with their right and arms, right and left, it mattered not which, were all over the shop!We had to hurry away before we collapsed completely - Monty Python eat your heart out - we so wished we'd got a video camera with us.

We were visited at home yesterday by two teachers who work in a remote school.They had come into town because they, plus a few other teachers from their school (there's only about 7 in total!) plus the head teacher had been charged.Not too sure what these two were charged for - some sort of insubordination we think, although another one was accused of running the school truck in the holidays as a PMV!However, they told us their story about why the head and two teachers were being charged.

Firstly, the head, who has three wives incidently, had allegedly raped a student in 2002 and 'disappeared' for a while.He was then made head of another remote school in 2009, where he made a student pregnant.He was then moved to his current school, where he is now being charged, along with two other teachers on allegations of having sex with students!In addition, the school's money has all been spent, they allege, on beer.Where the truth lies of course is anybodies guess, but if only half of it is true we couldn't believe, that such a string of offences hadn't got him sacked, but then we discover one of his wives is the sister of the wife of the Provincial Education Advisor - wantokism in all its glory!The opinion of the two teachers was that the head would be 'replaced' - I could think of something much more appropriate to do to him and it involves surgery!!

We're on holiday this week and exhausted!Some religious sect have set up camp on the school field and for some inexplicable reason, their devotion requires them to yowl, shout, stamp, cheer, catawaul, get very excited, sound demented and play loud, monotonous music until the early hours of every morning and start again before dawn.We longed for an electricity cut and our prayers were answered on one of the evenings which gave us some respite.

This appears to me inconsiderate behaviour which flies in the face of 'love thy neighbour as thyself' as I can assure you all the 'neighbours' I've spoken to feel very unloved.In addition, there has been a death in the family of our immediate neighbours, so they have gone off to collect the body from Port Moresby.If the body is lodged next door and the family indulge, as is the custom, in a 'haus cri' with all the wailing and gnashing of teeth for days on end that that entails, I think we will go completely nuts and be candidates for the funny farm by the end of the week!Some restful holiday!

A new and exotic addition has appeared on the meat counter in the supermarket.Large, white, square slabs of compressed chicken skin!!Can't decide - would it be best fried, boiled or roasted?I think I'll settle for sauted in garlic and ginger with some asparagus on the side!!!!

At least it's quiet in the skies above UK right now.Sorry about the ash cloud - hope things return to normal soon. I believe many folk have had an extended Easter holiday in exotic places as a result - could be worse!

See you in a few months!!Trying to decide if we could fit a BBQ in before the end of summer with all the likely stuff we'll have to do in the house.We'll make a decision before we leave and let you know, so make sure your week-ends early September aren't all booked up!!

Love from us both

PS.We have been adopted by two gorgeous puppies (see piccies).John doesn't approve, but is being very tolerant of my attempts to play with them when I think he's not looking!

'Haus cri' taking place in the village- thank goodness