Preschool

I arrived 5 minutes late hoping not to have to wait in the hot sun too long. I walked onto the vacant playground and went to his door. No answer. I wondered to the classroom whose door was ajar. I saw long tables only about a foot and a half tall and little chairs to match. There were many chairs. I began to count. Seven chairs across and six tables deep on one side of the room. The other side, divided by an isle way looked the same. That puts about 60 students in each class. I turned and looked at the board. There was a grid with the alphabet, one letter per square. There were some things written in Kirundi on the board but I couldn't make them out. I exited the classroom returning to the eerie playground. I looked at the swing set. The seats were slightly swaying from the breeze. I peered into the next classroom. It was the same.
I walked around the building looking for someone to help. He arrived on a bicycle taxi. He apologized greatly for being late. I reassured him that it was ok. We entered his office and began to small talk. Finally I transitioned to my questions. I wanted to know all about the preschool he runs. In the back of my mind I have an angle, I want to know how his preschool might be used to help facilitate special education in Burundi.
The school only runs half day, hence the ominous lack of children. There are only three classrooms, 3s, 4s, and 5s. There are three teachers who were trained in high school for elementary school teaching and one aid who helps monitor the bathroom and crying children. Each teacher is responsible for 60 students in their class. There is no government required or suggested curriculum so they are using what they have used for years. He said that they uses games and songs to learn. He doesn't think the children know they are learning. This is good.
Once my questions were exhausted he began to ask me questions. It was great, conversation that was deeper than small talk. Time was marching on and I had someplace to be. He offered to escort me back to campus but Stephanie showed up and he was content allowing me to walk with her.
I'm excited at the potential that this preschool has to offer. I will go and do a formal observation of the classes and teaching styles on Tuesday. Then the next week I will take my students with me to observe. What better textbook than the real thing.