Friday 11 May 2012

Sickening Moment

Had a heart stopping moment whilst teaching today. I had just got the grade 1 class to begin playing the game sleeping lions, whoever invented that game deserves a Nobel Prize btw, when I turn my back towards the far corner of the room. A mistake I should have known not to make, as it is the corner where the two naughtiest boys in the class sit. I hear a loud, hollow thud sound and as I turn around I see a boy lying on the ground letting out a piercing scream. It really is a moment of shock when you realise a boy who was sitting with his head lying on the desk pretending to be asleep one moment can be seriously injured the next. I ran to him and it was immediately apparent that he had hit his head upon the desk. Whether from getting up and running or from clambering on his chair and falling I am still unsure, the only eye witness accounts are all spoken by 6 year olds in shotgun Hindi. He had a minor abrasion on his forehead as well as quite serious swelling which formed instantaneously.
What was worse is the attitude and actions of the teachers when I toke him downstairs to be treated. Instead of comforting him and providing medical care, they began admonishing him in loud tones and no one seemed to be moving to help him. It was a time like this that I wanted to scream at the Indian culture around me!
You realise the inadequacy of schools here when anything goes wrong. The first aid kit consisted of all of 6 bandaids and roll of Cotton wool and one bottle of dettol.
None of these were any help to a sore little head that needed a cold pack and a clotting agent. All I could do was sit and hug him in my lap until he stopped crying and make sure he didn't fall asleep as I image he would have had a concussion.
I imagine all teachers have to deal with seeing children hurt themselves, it is so heart breaking it would put me off teaching altogether!

2 comments:

  1. Sounds to me like you handled the situation really well Kate! It is true that cultural differences become glaringly apparent things don't quite go according to plan. Poor little tyke - he would have had a nasty headache for a day or so. Well done my quick thinking daughter, I am very proud of you :-) XX

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  2. Well done Kate! That little boy will always remember how you treated him kindly, no matter what else was said or done. or not done! x

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