As you may recall, my last editorial was a whinge about how difficult it is to be a journalist covering education — mainly because it’s a real challenge not to repeat yourself to death because change happens so very, very, very, very slowly.
But let me tell you about some perks of being a journalist. It gets me into all kinds of fancy places that I would only have heard of otherwise. Last month, for instance, I was invited by the national Department of Education to attend a dinner at the extremely swish Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria.
It was a ‘get to know the media” occasion and we were treated to a somewhat informal interaction with Education Minister Naledi Pandor, Deputy Minister Enver Surty, and a handful of other senior education officials.
It was certainly a laudable gesture — especially because the media and the government sometimes behave like enemies, when actually we’re both working for the betterment of our society (or that’s the idea, at least).
But there were some indigestible moments. One in particular was when a media colleague was in mid-question about the workings of the schools’ nutrition programme when he was interrupted by a waiter laying out a scrumptious five-star meal before him. Something just feels wrong when you discuss starving children over the spoils of a gourmet feast.
Then there were all the massive education issues we touched on and skirted around — from the importance of adult education, so often left in the silent margins of our newspapers and government action, to the explosive issue of students struggling with fees at tertiary institutions.
Of course, most of the issues raised — including Pandor’s own conviction that school principals, in particular, should get better pay — got stuck in that nasty but inevitable cul-de-sac of funding.
Which got me thinking: how much did our elaborate five-star dinner cost?
I have to admit that I didn’t voice that particular question.
Another perk of being a journalist covering education is that you get a look-in on the wonderful interaction between teachers and young people. And young people have such an interesting way of looking at the world that all of us can learn something from them too.
Take a look at what’s been doing the rounds on email (if you’ve read it before, it should still ring a bell). It’s presented as the responses of youngsters to a series of questions:
What do most people do on a date?
– ‘Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.” Lynnette (8)
– ‘On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.” Martin (10)
When is it okay to kiss someone?
– ‘When they’re rich.” Pam (7)
– ‘The rule goes like this: if you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.” Howard (8)
Is it better to be single or married?
– ‘I don’t know which is better, but I’ll tell you one thing. I’m never going to have sex with my wife. I don’t want to be all grossed out.” Theodore (8)
– ‘It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. Anita (9)