Now how's that for a new conflict situation?

Goofing off with a little friend

It all started with a solar panel.

Because of the power situation on the island and students preferring late afternoon/evening classes, at least half of our classes taught at this particular school are done shrouded in darkness. The administrator has done an excellent job of keeping battery-powered light bars charged and available for class use, but they're nothing compared to an actual light fixture in the classroom.

So he suggested investing in a solar panel. The group of administrators also agreed that it was an excellent idea.

We're volunteer teachers, so the money wouldn't come from us. What students pay for the class mostly goes towards books, CDs, and the final certificate ceremony, so the leftover funds would be insufficient to buy a solar panel, inverter, and a battery.

We were just meeting before classes started to talk details-- an orientation, if you will -- all three levels, together with administrators and teachers. He mentioned the solar panel and considering how to pay for it.

Say cheese!

Then someone dared to object. And he didn't state his objection with proper deference to the administrator. And suddenly there was murmuring around the room and the administrator was mad.

Like, really mad.

He fussed around and said "there are plenty of people who want a place in the class." (Translation: I'm taking him off the list)

The shaming began. "This student doesn't care about other people or education. He only cares for himself. If he cares for himself, let him take his money back." *offers tuition money*  "He refuses to take it back? Fine." The administrator walked away and started moving books around.

The room settled briefly and I thought they'd move on, but no. The student walks to the front of the room and begins, "Asalam alekum." No one pays attention. He calls the administrator's name and the administrator keeps his back to him. So he turns to the other teacher and myself.

Chicken wings, green bananas, and coleslaw!

"Please, ask him to forgive me. I did not say it well. I do care. Forgive me. Ask him to forgive me."

I wish I could say that I immediately stood up and made an eloquent plea on the student's behalf, but... well... I was a little out of my depth and didn't really know how to proceed. I told him I understood and that I would talk to the administrator, but that didn't seem to be enough. So the student sat down again and a respected woman in the room proceeded to plead for him.

"He misspoke. He didn't say things well. All of us students want the best for these classes and we want to learn English well. If that means holding a fundraiser, so be it, but don't hold this against him. He knows he didn't speak well." (side note: when/if I grow up, I want to be like that woman. She's stellar.)

The administrator was appeased well enough to turn towards the room again and agree to let the student keep his place in the class. He gave a short speech that amounted to taking zero blame but allowing that more discussion needed to occur before deciding on the solar panel.

And then it was over. We "pled the path" and walked out.

But the conflict wasn't over. Stay tuned for part 2.