Little monkeys

27th May 2005, 1:00am

Share

Little monkeys

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/little-monkeys
With First Minister Jack McConnell in Malawi this week, a salutary reminder about African school realities has come our way.

A reader who visits regularly asks us to spare a thought for teachers in Dukuduku Forest in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. There, Engweni primary school staff have their own little monkeys to deal with - as well as cobras and green mambas.

“You can’t leave your teaching aids in the class because the monkeys run in and destroy everything,” despairing head Anastacia Mhlongo told the local Mercury. “They steal our lunchboxes or play on the roofs while we are trying to give lessons.”

So, while teachers might moan and groan about what they have to cope with in schools nowadays, we hope this helps them put things in perspective.

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared