Raising Boys

A day in the public school system November 18, 2005

Finally, my son’s exams are over. The whole thing was very chaotic. I don’t know what made me decide to accompany my son to his classroom but I’m glad I did. I would have remained ignorant of the manner that the tests were given out.

First off, the teacher was not there but left her househelp and her 7-year-old daughter in charge. As can be expected in a scenario like this, the exams were disorderly, with many students stopping to answer to play, mill around, or look at their classmates’ answers.

Now, I know why this teacher told parents during the meeting held before the start of classes that those in the top 10 in the preparatory level would not be the same ones in the first grade honor list.

She knew from the start she would not be teaching, her househelp would be, and that she certainly would have no way of determining who are excelling among her students. The exams would not be a correct gauge because of the disorderly manner that these are given, with students allowed to copy from each other. She’d be picking off the names for her top 10 from her magic hat.

I’m glad my son, despite everything that’s been going on in that classroom, has resisted the urge to join in the bandwagon and cheat.