Here are my answers to this week’s questions from pensensitivity101

It’s the second May Bank Holiday here in the UK and the kids are on half term break. In your country, do schools have a ‘Half Term’ break?
I’m not familiar with the concept of a half-term break. In South Africa, the school year is divided into four terms, each lasting approximately 9 to 12 weeks.

After the first summer term, students get a break of 10 days to two weeks, depending on whether it aligns with the Easter weekend. The second term (Autumn) concludes with a three-week winter holiday, spanning the last week of June and the first two weeks of July. The third term (Winter) is followed by a 10-day spring break.

The final term (Spring/Summer) runs from late September to mid-December, after which schools close for a six-week summer holiday. The academic year officially begins in mid-January.

Education methods have changed a lot since I left school in 1972.
Would you like to be learning in a classroom of today?
Teaching methods in this country have evolved significantly, though some changes can be frustrating for traditional educators. The quality of government schools varies widely—some maintain strong standards, while others, particularly township schools, face severe challenges. Access to quality education often depends on geographical location, with disparities rooted in insufficient government support, undervaluing of teachers, and high student-to-teacher ratios.

Imagine the difficulties of teaching in an under-resourced township school, where classrooms hold 50 to 60 students and children share desks designed for two. I have witnessed schools where students squeezed in four to a single desk—an unfortunate reality in many areas.

I would have loved to teach in a school like the one my grandchildren attended, where I also once taught. It was truly child-centered, providing a safe and nurturing environment where every student felt valued and heard. Seeing my grandchildren thrive in such a setting brought me immense joy.

Did you leave school as soon as you could, or did you go on to study for a degree or other higher education?
Looking back, I didn’t fully grasp how fortunate I was. I attended a prestigious Teacher Training College for three years, followed by an additional year at a university where I specialised in the education of children with speech and hearing impairments.

When you entered the working world, did your job require ‘qualifications’ or did you learn on the job?
My training was exceptional, equipping me with a clear understanding of workplace expectations from the start. Naturally, I continued to learn and grow, and the support of incredible colleagues played a key role in refining my teaching skills.

I was fortunate to work at an excellent institution that embraced modern educational practices and regularly conducted workshops to enhance staff proficiency.

As my experience deepened, I had the privilege of mentoring younger colleagues later in my career, helping to guide and support their professional development.

Gratitude

My hubby and I have both worked hard at careers that we loved. We supported each other and together overcame glitches along the way. Now in our retirement, we are grateful to embrace our golden years with relative comfort and good health, even though it’s with less financial security than we would have liked. But, hey, enough is a good as a feast!