Mr. B teaching at Pohnlangas Elementary School
When I think of the word “policy” in a government context, I naturally think of government red tape amidst a giant world of bureaucracy that hinders any forward progress. After spending four years in college studying political institutions and the principles and conduct of government, including spending eight months interning in Washington, DC, I have become somewhat jaded and weary of bureaucracy. While this frustration with “the establishment” is understandable, I have been constantly reminded that despite the sometimes perceived barriers bureaucracy can impose, there is a momentous need for strong and sound policy.
Without being too brash, many of policies here in Pohnpei just plain stink, which is of little significance as the existing policies are hardly ever enforced. One policy in particular demonstrates the remarkable need for reform. Students here are not taught in English until 4th grade. However, when they enter 4th grade they are handed the same 4th grade Math, Science and English textbooks given to their counterparts who are the same age in America. Unless a child has been raised in an English-speaking household in Pohnpei, which I doubt exists, this student is expected to go from knowing hardly any English to reading at a 4th grade level overnight. It simply makes no logical sense. The argument goes that the locals don’t want to lose their local language by teaching in English beginning in 1st grade. This is an understandable and valid point. I would counter however that in many places throughout the world, students are learning in both their native tongue and English from the beginning of their education, becoming proficient in both languages.
Put yourself in the shoes of that 4th grade student handed a 4th grade Science textbook. It might as well be written in hieroglyphics. Progress is made, but at a very slow pace. I have learned the importance of a student’s “instructional reading level.” If a student who is reading at a 1st grade level is handed a 4th grade textbook, he/she is going to become quickly frustrated and discouraged. This inevitably leads to a student not wanting to learn and likely having a negative approach to education for the rest of their life. If that same student is handed a 1st grade level book though, he/she will make progress and move up to the next reading level. This information is critical and explains why we spent two months assessing and compiling each student’s instructional reading level.
So from the very beginning, each student is already starting three grades behind. Despite this being a horrible policy, I wish it was enforced. The fact is after traveling to and assessing dozens of 6th, 7th and 8th grade classrooms throughout Pohnpei, I have only witnessed one classroom being taught in English. Even English lessons are being taught in Pohnpeian. When I first discovered the “starting out three years behind” phenomenon, I instinctively thought we should petition for a policy change so students would start being taught in English in 1st grade. After visiting so many classrooms though, with no enforcement of the current policy whatsoever, I realized that would be a gigantic waste of time.
Let’s recap: students in Pohnpei don’t start learning in English until 4th grade and are, except in rare circumstances, never actually taught in English, from what I have witnessed through the 8th grade level. I hate to say this, but it gets worse. Much, much worse. I’m going to save for my next post what I believe to be the largest obstacle for education reform in Pohnpei.
This is just one policy that matters among many here in Pohnpei. It has become obvious to me throughout this experience that the environment in which a student learns is just as important, if not more so, than a student’s innate abilities and commitment to learning. Just look at that student receiving that 4th grade level textbook. He’s not dumb. He’s a product of a failed system.
On a lighter note, this weekend a few of us had a nice short hike up a little mountain that is lovingly called “Chickenshit.” I forgot to mention in my Nan Madol post one legend of how Nan Madol was built. The story goes that chickens carried the large columnar basalt rocks across the island. Apparently, these chicken “relieved themselves” on this part of the island. The little mountain is coned shape, and I can see how the locals could see how it looks like…well, ya know. Pictures below!
Lastly, this is my most recent post since my Giants were victorious in Super Bowl XLVI! Here are some glorious highlights of the epic game!
Without being too brash, many of policies here in Pohnpei just plain stink, which is of little significance as the existing policies are hardly ever enforced. One policy in particular demonstrates the remarkable need for reform. Students here are not taught in English until 4th grade. However, when they enter 4th grade they are handed the same 4th grade Math, Science and English textbooks given to their counterparts who are the same age in America. Unless a child has been raised in an English-speaking household in Pohnpei, which I doubt exists, this student is expected to go from knowing hardly any English to reading at a 4th grade level overnight. It simply makes no logical sense. The argument goes that the locals don’t want to lose their local language by teaching in English beginning in 1st grade. This is an understandable and valid point. I would counter however that in many places throughout the world, students are learning in both their native tongue and English from the beginning of their education, becoming proficient in both languages.
Put yourself in the shoes of that 4th grade student handed a 4th grade Science textbook. It might as well be written in hieroglyphics. Progress is made, but at a very slow pace. I have learned the importance of a student’s “instructional reading level.” If a student who is reading at a 1st grade level is handed a 4th grade textbook, he/she is going to become quickly frustrated and discouraged. This inevitably leads to a student not wanting to learn and likely having a negative approach to education for the rest of their life. If that same student is handed a 1st grade level book though, he/she will make progress and move up to the next reading level. This information is critical and explains why we spent two months assessing and compiling each student’s instructional reading level.
So from the very beginning, each student is already starting three grades behind. Despite this being a horrible policy, I wish it was enforced. The fact is after traveling to and assessing dozens of 6th, 7th and 8th grade classrooms throughout Pohnpei, I have only witnessed one classroom being taught in English. Even English lessons are being taught in Pohnpeian. When I first discovered the “starting out three years behind” phenomenon, I instinctively thought we should petition for a policy change so students would start being taught in English in 1st grade. After visiting so many classrooms though, with no enforcement of the current policy whatsoever, I realized that would be a gigantic waste of time.
Let’s recap: students in Pohnpei don’t start learning in English until 4th grade and are, except in rare circumstances, never actually taught in English, from what I have witnessed through the 8th grade level. I hate to say this, but it gets worse. Much, much worse. I’m going to save for my next post what I believe to be the largest obstacle for education reform in Pohnpei.
This is just one policy that matters among many here in Pohnpei. It has become obvious to me throughout this experience that the environment in which a student learns is just as important, if not more so, than a student’s innate abilities and commitment to learning. Just look at that student receiving that 4th grade level textbook. He’s not dumb. He’s a product of a failed system.
On a lighter note, this weekend a few of us had a nice short hike up a little mountain that is lovingly called “Chickenshit.” I forgot to mention in my Nan Madol post one legend of how Nan Madol was built. The story goes that chickens carried the large columnar basalt rocks across the island. Apparently, these chicken “relieved themselves” on this part of the island. The little mountain is coned shape, and I can see how the locals could see how it looks like…well, ya know. Pictures below!
Lastly, this is my most recent post since my Giants were victorious in Super Bowl XLVI! Here are some glorious highlights of the epic game!
Climbing up Chickenshit. Nope, that wasn't a type-o.
Panorama from atop Chickenshit
Gigantic pig I saw on the side of the road today in Madolenihmw
The opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of Drew Robinson.
