(801) Choosing school

Kenny's mother stopped working recently. I have known him since he was an infant. When I moved away, he just started grade school. He was a most endearing boy. After making that remark, I must also state that all the mothers at that play group knew he could not handle multiple  languages. Why? Because he stammered often, especially when he was excited. His vocabulary is the smallest of the kids represented in the group. Not because he is not intelligent. But because his parents work long hours and the maid is a hard worker with few words.


Notwithstanding all that we observed, the mother thought she could help Kenny cope. There the good intentions ended. Shortly after she enrolled her son in the most famous school with a heavy home work load, she was promoted to take over when her boss resigned. At that level, she had to fly often to attend regional meetings. What to do, she simply relied on the string of tutors when she had to be away from home.


The last time I met Kenny, it was on a trip to a nearby hill station. He turned into an original thinker with a wry sense of humour. I guess when a person is beaten for whatever reason at school, there are only so many  courses of action:

a. he can cry
b. he can switch off
c. he can laugh, later
d. he can become angry

That (c) probably is a pretty good way to respond to what one has no control over.


I just hope that Kenny's mum does not expect reform over night. I also hope that Kenny would appreciate the help that comes, about five years late. But better late than never. The latest is they have migrated to a commonwealth country. Hope that Kenny would benefit from the more enlighten state of the educators there towards high school students who don't seem to catch the train. It is sad that parents of those children who are less likely to be able to cope with multiple languages tend to send them to such schools that teach three languages simultaneously.

The above was published on Oct 30, 2010
Recently I met Kenny after his few years' stay abroad. He has evolved into a tall lanky, quietly confident young man. It looks like he has benefited from western educational system.

* pdanielsleather 400 from saltaquarium.about.com