We received this update from leo, 2 April 2005.

Hi George and Tom,

My apologies for not sending email until now. We didn't have internet access for more than a week after you left. And I have been very busy lately because we are ending the first term next week. Lots and lots of work...and more 'excitement'.

We gave copies of the Free Expression to the Headmaster, the Deputy Director, and the Librarian. They were very much impressed with the students' work, especially at how they presented their views. Apparently, someone reported the issues on the uniforms and desks to the provincial governor. On March 22, he paid us a surprised visit at 7.00. He went to the classrooms and caught many teachers unawares. Many of the teachers were late as well.

Several incidents happened thereafter. An inspector from the Department of Education has been working to resolve the issue for two weeks in a row. One time last week, the Headmaster called for a student assembly to clarify matters but when the students saw the television camera, they took advantage to stage an on-the-spot rally. They shouted and pointed fingers at the Director, booed him as well. It was so humiliating and this was shown on TV nationwide.

This morning, there was a parents' assembly at the school gym and the school's former headmaster was summoned by the Provincial Director to explain the issues to the parents. But I heard from one of the teachers that there was a heated argument so they halted the meeting and left without resolving anything. Of course, the TV camera recorded it all and I'm sure it is juicy news tonight.

I have met with the headmaster twice and at one point during our discussions, he suggested that the paper has something to do with the outburst. I jokingly told him that that was the whole idea of the paper, to let students and teachers express their views belligerently. But he said it was really a good idea to have a school paper and he actually asked us when will the next issue be. I will see him on Monday to discuss plans for the newspaper that I included in my report and the use of the laptops as well.

As to my work at the resource centre, I have been very busy helping students at Pedagogic University with their lessons. The English Course has began last March 11 and I was actively involved helping jumpstart the program as it did not run smoothly as expected. A week after the course has started, the school fired the head of English because of irregularities in the assessment of new students. They appointed one of my colleagues in the secondary school to head the dept that's why he enlisted my help.

Cachele and I are also busy preparing for the first interclass spelling quiz bee next week. Lucky for us because MCEL agreed to give prizes to the winners.

Kind regards

Leo