As a sequel to my previous post...
On the Pre-Calculus final exam (also administered today), the bonus question I posed was: What is the name of the man who cleans this classroom every day?
Answers include:
Pak Andi (he works in IT)
Pak Budi (he cleans the second floor classrooms)
Pak Agus (nobody by that name works at our school)
Jesus Christ (good try)
Pak Trashman (really!?)
Mas cleaner (um. no.)
Jokowi (the Indonesian president)
Alex (the name of a student)
Not a single correct answer.
One big thing I wish I could change about my students is their view of Indonesians. Almost all of them have house helpers and/or drivers and/or gardeners. They all see the school guards and groundskeepers and cleaners on a daily basis. But they don't really interact with them. All those people are there to clean up their messes and keep things running. Some students are involved with going to orphanages or schools to teach or play with kids. But even then, it's seen as a ministry, not as a relationship. They don't see Indonesians as peers or friends. And that makes me sad. Because by isolating themselves, they are missing out on some great potential relationships!
A few students came back after the exam to ask me what the answer to the bonus question was, and without exception, my response has been, "You should ask him sometime."
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