Interview With a Grace Teacher

That's Kadidia on the far left.

Many of you may remember that Grace student Kadidia has dreams of becoming a journalist. Well, we decided to provide a taste of that dream but having her interview one of the middle school teachers. Mr. Podiougo teaches 8th grade math. Here is her report:

Kadidia: Hello Mr. Poudiougo. I am Miss Kadidiatou Konaté, a student at private school Grace Private School here in Koro. Would you please answer some questions?
 
Mr. PODIOUGO: Yes, with pleasure!
 
Kadidia: How do you see the level of achievement of the middle school students at Grace?
 
Mr. PODIOUGO: I personally find that the level is generally low.
 
Kadidia: How do you explain, sir, this low level? Shouldn’t private schools be better than public?
 
Mr. POUDIOUGO: They should be better but they cannot be when they don’t have a good base. Indeed many come here from all over to succeed, but they don’t have the basic training (good study habits and knowledge from cycle 1)
 
Kadidia Why do these students fail to catch up to where they need to be?
 
Mr. PODIOUGO: Many of the students are accustomed to having fun and not working hard in class. So it's difficult for them to suddenly try harder.
 
Kadidia: What responsibility do you think the teachers have in this struggle to learn and succeed?
 
Mr. PODIOUGO: As a teacher it hurts to see a lack of ambition in our students. Our responsibility is to support those who engage in this good fight against mediocrity.
 
Kadidia: Do you think that parents have a role in this problem?
 
Mr. PODIOUGO: Of course!!! Their role is even more crucial. The education of a child is the first role of parents. The state and the schools are only facilitators and partners for education.
 
Kadidia: What are the concrete roles of parents for children’s education?
 
Mr. PODIOUGO: Parents should look after their children at home. Each parent must provide a way for the child to study. They should ensure that the child does homework at home, budgets their time, and is up to date on all courses.
 
Kadidia: What is your last word for this struggle to help the students succeed?
 
Mr. PODIOUGO: The ball is in the court of the students. Whatever the parents or teachers want, if the student does not turn in their work, there will not be satisfactory results. With a valiant heart nothing is impossible and God will certainly bless the efforts of each child if she or he is obedient and hardworking!
 
Kadidia: Thank you Mr. PODIOUGO for your kind answers to my questions.