School has started at last – with challenges

Cece Primary School was finally allowed to reopen on 3^rd May.  I arrived early in the morning armed with a large bag of facemasks and lots of old cloth to use for cleaning.

There was a lot of clearing up to do as the classrooms had been closed for a year and one term.  We got out the new desks, gave them a thorough scrub and swept out the classrooms, which were very dusty.  Those rooms with new windows and doors were also full of builders’ rubble.  The pupils worked with great enthusiasm, particularly once they had seen the desks.  They also did some grass cutting and planting of shrubs under the guidance of Teacher Abuni, who is a keen agriculture teacher in addition to his academic subjects.

As is always the case in South Sudan, starting a new term is a slow process.  As the week progressed the numbers of pupils grew, but we have still not seen all our pupils from last year.  All schools have been ordered by the local education department not to accept new pupils until they are sure that all pupils from 2020 have come back.  Some, I already know will not be returning as quite a few families have moved away from Nimule.

A blind grandmother hopes to register
her orphaned grandchildren

Throughout the week, desperate families have been visiting the school asking for places.  We have noted down their details but had to explain that we are unable to accept any new pupils right now.  Altogether the families of 47 children came.  There may be more next week.  Most of those visiting were grandmothers caring for their orphaned grandchildren.  All these carers were in a very bad physical state, and several were blind, led to school using a pole held by a child at one end and the grandmother at the other (the traditional means of guiding blind people in South Sudan).  I don’t know which to hope: that all our former pupils return, or that we can admit these needy children.  We are unable to expand because of the limits set by social distancing.

We now have two teachers doing two-year teacher training courses at separate teacher training institutes.  Another teacher has had a recent operation from which she needs to recover.  This has been a handicap in starting lessons.  We are advertising for two new teachers. 

Formal teaching started on Wednesday after the clear-up, but not on all cylinders because of the teacher absences.  Because we are operating under Covid regulations, we have split the school into two shifts for social distancing; lower school in the mornings and upper school in the afternoons, and divided most classes in two.  The afternoon shift is difficult for the pupils, as most do not come from homes with means of time-keeping.

Some of our pupils at their new
desks.

The pupils love their new desks.  It is the first time that we have ever had all our pupils sitting on seats rather than on mats.  Their view of the facemasks is not so positive.  I am constantly telling them to put them on or go home.  The general opinion in Nimule is that Covid is a myth, so they come to school very resistant to all Covid restrictions.  It is a hard position to be in: it is not good to tell children that their carers are wrong.  I respond that whether or not there is Covid we have to comply, otherwise we risk being closed down by the health authorities who are going to inspect all schools.  After a year without school, that is not a risk anybody wants to take.

A lot of pupils, unsurprisingly, have outgrown their uniforms.  We have asked them to return their old uniforms in a clean state, for reuse by smaller pupils.  Once we have a clearer idea of the numbers of pupils, we will need to buy more, particularly for the older ones.

Another hurdle to be overcome has been the school feeding situation.  As mentioned in my last blog post, thieves stole a lot of our cooking equipment.  This is being replaced, but there was no possibility of feeding the pupils during our first week.  We are hoping to start cooking again next week.  It has been especially difficult for teachers who are timetabled for morning and afternoon shifts.

In South Sudan it is usual for nursing mothers to bring their babies to work as there are no childcare facilities.  Not anymore!  A highlight has been the acquisition of a woman named Grace to care for staff babies while their mothers are working.  This is part of a new three-year project through Plan International.  Grace has received training during the Covid period and is being paid directly by Plan International.  Two of our teachers gave birth during the school closure and they are delighted to be able to teach in peace.  Next week Grace will find herself with the cooks’ tiny children too, so she will have her hands full.

Despite the challenges described, we are all so pleased to be back at school.  We have various needs as mentioned.  We also need to repair our printer as well as pay the usual regular staff salaries.  Printing is needed so that we can test our pupils and make sure they are in the correct classes after their long gap with no lessons.  One of our blackboards needs to be replaced. 

It would be very helpful to the school if people are willing to make regular standing orders, so that we can feel reasonably secure in our school income.  Please feel free to pass on this post to anyone who might be interested in assisting our school.  My email address for further information on gift aid and how to donate is rebeccamallinson1@hotmail.co.uk.