We got the visas. I had everything prepared, as per KL - multiple copies of birth certs, previous passports, my passport, almost-ex's passport, etc. It went as well as it could have. We were still there for 4 hours, but that's better than 6, which it can be. They transferred my son's current visa to his new passport and extended it to match mine (due in July) and they did it for free! Now we await his new visa. We needed an extra letter to the authorities to say why we wanted to apply for the extensions so early and we were able to get it from a lady down in the carpark, who, for a fee of RM 10 (about AUD3.5) will type any letter you want. There are several people like this, who provide all the services you could need at a place like immigration - commissioner of oaths (like a JP), petition writer, copier services, and other people who made a living providing letters and such for desperate people like us. I wonder if they can make a living from this. Probably a meagre one.
The rest of the week went smoothly - my students came in for their sessions - which I will write about one day, my daughter got her report card 6 A's and 1 B (yes they grade them at this level) and we continue to wade through the onslaught of homework (at least 2 hours a day). I've set daughter up with a new study table and lamp, as her eyes are already developing myopic tendencies and I've read that dim light and close reading (both of which she's been exposed to) would have contributed to this. By september, she'll be wearing glasses. She loves the new set up - it seems more grown up I guess, but she really does know what she's doing when she does her homework. Her poor cousin, who's in the same year, is struggling to keep up at all. I can't understand why his parents don't get him some help. I'd love to help him, it's what I do, but I can see the potential for him to just slip through the cracks and it breaks my heart because he is a nice kid.
The schools here are not set up to help slow learners. If you can't keep up, the teachers 'beat' (smack the kids hand with a ruler) the kids - it's so archaic it's not funny. They think the kids are slow because they are naughty. They don't/can't consider that a child will have learning problems or perhaps the teaching is not good. It's so sad. Teachers should make kids feel good about themselves, not punish them because they don't understand. Australian kids are pretty lucky. Lovely schools, lovely teachers (for the most part) and no beatings!
1 comment:
glad you got all paperwork etc sorted. funny about those typing service people, they have them in istanbul too, men with little tables, a typewriter and a couple of stools. it works.
horrible about the schools - it's heartbreaking for you to know a kid you think might fall through the gaps, and not really be able to help. hopefully it works out for him.
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