October 27, 2003

Outrage Continues

Following the previous educational outrage there's another to add to the pile.

This Friday is Halloween. Coming from Australia, where Halloween means nothing, we're new to all this. Pumpkins, lollies, chocolates, tricks and treats. It makes no sense to me at all. I suspect a bunch of pumpkin growers got together and said, "How can we boost sales of our disgusting tasting vegetable? I know, let's make a festival where you paint and carve 'em." "That's a great idea, Al. We'll steal what the egg guys did for Easter."

Mrs M is the class parent. This is not as glamorous as it seems. It means she needs to endure a couple of "morning teas" with other class parents and organise various assorted events. In this case it turns out Mrs M is responsible for the class plan for Friday's classes. You read correctly. This school, with paid professionals, abdicate their duties for a day so volunteers who already pay the exorbitant fees of the institution can run the class for the day. This involves bringing in food and drink, organising activities for the kids and more. What do the teachers do during this? No idea, but they sure aren't teaching.

If this was a Government school I wouldn't mind. But if it's a flippin' expensive private school, I want the teachers working 24/7. I want them working. I don't want them asking parents to do their jobs for them.

Again plugging the numbers in the super-computer I estimate this Friday will cost US $5,542.50 in wasted school fees. I am sure the kids will have a good time and that Mrs M will create a wonderful day. She was a pre-school teacher in her previous life. However I do object to her, or anyone else, having to do it at all.

My solution is simple. On the day I am going to eat as much junk treats as possible. That will show them!

Posted by Simon at October 27, 2003 03:07 PM | TrackBack
Comments

Yes, this stupid practice is called Parents Teachers Association or PTA for short.

It is omnipresent in Hong Kong education system. Be it a private school or a government school.

And about the Halloween, I am going to the afternoon Halloweeen party [already sounds strange] and scare the hell out of everyone out there.

BTW, my wife reads stories to children twice a week [for free] at the school. And she does not get paid, but we still pay heavy for the school fees.

This is a sore point already fraying my nerves. Perhaps, you and I could come up with a plan to get some sort of reverse remuneration.

We will think about it.

In the meantime, cheers and also prepare for the Thanksgiving day. Yes, these are our festivals and we do not know why we invented them.

But these festivals have *nothing* to do with Hong Kong!?!

Kind regards and best wishes to you and your loved ones.

Ron

Posted by: Ron at October 27, 2003 10:27 PM

And how will you eating as much junk as possible be any different to any other day?

I'm more concerned with the money the Australian government is taking from me to pay for your artery surgery in the future....

Posted by: paul at October 28, 2003 05:47 AM

Ron:

This dastardly act against HK parents calls for an immediate plan. I propose several drinks at a bar while we decide how to undermine the Hong Kong Education system.

Posted by: Simon at October 28, 2003 02:33 PM

Sure Simon.

We will see what we can do.

Couple of drinks should be great. But let us make it next week as this week I am again going back to the glorious Dongguan [and probably Xiao Hung and Xiao Wai ;-) ]

Cheers.

Posted by: Ron at October 29, 2003 09:47 AM
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