Heatwave

I have just had the most astonishing encounter with a mother! For three days we have had the most awful heatwave in our city with temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 F). Some of our classrooms have been renovated as part of the school's donor programme; mine has not. So while some of the classrooms have airconditioners, mine does not. With no wind during the heatwave, the classroom has been unbearably hot. Two ceilings fans and one standing fan have hardly had an effect unless you stand right beneath them. The children removed socks and shoes inside, and we tapered the work down to bite-size portions.

This morning I met an angry mother who is furious that we, the teachers, have to work in such unbearable heat and she pelted me with questions.

"Why don't you have airconditioning?"
"Why haven't you done anything about it?"
"Why don't you go on strike until you get an airconditioner?"

I reassured her that the school is concerned and parents will hopefully help to raise money for our classroom, but that we cannot go on strike in order to get airconditioners.

"That is not good enough!" she exclaimed. "I'm tired of everyone always being concerned about the children. What about the teachers?"

How refreshing - someone who cares about the teachers!