Friday, June 23, 2017

School's (nearly) finished

Most students here in Flanders took their final exam this morning. The following days they won't have to be at school, as the teachers will be discussing their results. They only have to come in once more to take in their books and maps (every class needs to appoint three students who have to keep theirs, for reason of being able to check when necessary). And then they'll get their final report - good or bad.

For teachers now begins the most taxing time of year. I can assure you it's no fun to sit into a packed room where the air gets stale, with all your colleagues and discuss class after class. I remember my days in Germany (long, long time ago, in the 1980's) when we started at 9 a.m. and only ended up at 2 a.m the next day - with only a sandwich to go by and streams of coffee.

Lots of parents will already take their kids on a trip next week. The big majority of them don't think a report is all that important - times have not changed for the better. Outlandlish trips are cheaper in the last week of June, and for a family it can mean a lot.

My sister is also looking forward to the end of this schoolyear. As of next schoolyear, she'll be head of the office and gets two younger people to boss around (good prospects!) The chief director of the group of schools (more than 1,000 teachers and administrative personnel) has given her this opportunity, as she has a vast knowledge and these are also her last years in service.

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