THE PROLETARIAT
For a fortnight, the year 12 class got the chance to partake in the annual work experience where they worked in dissimilar offices and business centers across Uganda. I was exceedingly fortunate to be the only year 11 that was endowed with such an awe-inspiring opportunity last year.
Was it beneficial and instrumental for us? For many, receiving a daily allowance made the participation seem remunerative. Students shared stories every evening about their daily experiences – good, bad, funny and mesmerizing. One of the most outstanding stories that continuously reverberates in my brain, is one from a student that was working at Kampala Medical Chambers, she had a chance to watch and assist a woman to give birth- just imagine the entire process. (Chills and disbelief have probably cascaded down some of your spines, I presume) Others worked at Doctor’s Hospital, Henrob, Lesmo Supermarket, Centenary Bank, Stanbic Bank, Face TV, Café Javas, KSK, and one of Uganda’s leading Telecommunication company, Airtel.
Every forenoon, we were drowned in the glories of artistry as the gents were besuited and the girls that were soigne’ to perfection with the most precise details taken into consideration. (Very Taibah like, perhaps it was a way of getting mentality organized for the day) I strongly believe, the work experience furnishes us with basic knowledge on what the working class around this universe goes through and formulates us for a significantly vast domain. Was it easy? Almost every evening when our parents return home, they beg for some peace and quiet and many times we ignore their humble plea and assume work is like taking candy from a baby and isn’t arduous in any possible sense. Well personally, I looked forward to lying in my warm sheets under the simplicity of the star enshrouded night after a long day of getting my duties done and dusted - so did many other students and teachers that were responsible for us.
The year 12 2023, is going to be their pioneers of the ‘’ work-based learning programme’’ one similar to the well-known annual 2-week work experience. In this modified version, we have a whole year to apply class concepts in our desired career by doing projects in school and with companies. The revised time span will ensure that we all get a wholesome view on the what is required of us, how much work we need to put in and the necessary skills needed. Over 95% of students never get the chance to immerse themselves in such programmes and find it extremely difficult in future or even lose their vision. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and in the same way, we are taking steps to our careers. The first was suggesting our desired careers and the next was writing motivational letters. This holiday we’ve been tasked to interview prominent persona in the field whilst presenting evidence of the interviews. I urge fellow students to work with their parents in order to exhaust the assignment.
In my point of view, it was extremely thoughtful for the school to incorporate this culture into the system, everyone gets a chance to have a similar experience as if student-on-duty but in your career path. I am unequivocally certain that I speak for multitudes when I say this edifies us to unveil utmost gratitude to our parents, guardians, teachers, basically everyone hustling out there regardless of their occupation- the different stories we shared with peers, every evening as we sat silently in a cluster, in the A level center proved to me that the world out can be a roller-coaster especially in the work sector. For every prosperity at any workplace, we clap as loud as thunder because a skill is learnt and for every obstacle, we learn to find an alternative- one that encompasses how we can go around it by application of a marinade of class concepts and the 5Cs.
The world as we know it today is in deep requisition of an independent population, one that can display stupendous levels of hard work and success outside school, one that can redraw the population pyramids. Many schools out there only focus on a student’s test performance as opposed to their knowledge retention, the warm embrace of their mental diversity and a basic foundation of values needed to leave a legacy, a great mark of improvement on the face of the earth. Taibah has instilled in us the 5Cs (Communication, Concern for the Community, Creativity, Confidence and Critical thinking). All these have been greatly ameliorated every single day of our stay at Taibah and the work-based learning has thrown more than enough light on this very case – THIS IS WHAT *EDUCATION WITH A DIFFERENCE* REALLY MEANS, identifying every individual’s strength and tailoring them to face reality with great diversity (as many say there is never 1 solution to a problem.)
GIFT LING SEIIY LIN
Year 12 Raptors
