School's In

 We visited a two schools in Ubud today (something it appears that tourists don't do).  One was an elementary school and the other a secondary school.  It was a special day of the month so students all wore traditional clothes, they were all beautiful looking children, but then the balinese are a beautiful looking people anyway.  The two headmasters and teachers were very gracious in allowing us to interrupt their teaching.  The student's gave a big OH when Rosie told them that she was a teacher and that she taught Indonesian and they were very surprised when she addressed them in Bahasa Indonesian (the Indonesian official language).  One class we visited had 37 pupils but a teacher told us that some of his classes had a many as 45.

Secondary school teacher

Rosie taking an interest in a students work

Classroom teacher

The School Quadrangle

There are over 700 students in the elementary school and I imagine that if they were all there at the one time they would easily fill their quadrangle.  Fortunately they seem to teach in shifts with the younger students finishing at 10am (i think) and at this time the older ones start

This photo shows children practicing the national flag raising ceremony.  This is very important in secondary school and the school Principal decides whether they pass or fail.  It involves marching and proclaiming allegiance to their country.

Just as an aside, the national flag of Indonesia, which is known as Sang Saka Merah-Putih ("The Sacred Red-and-White") is based on the banner of a 13th century Empire in East Java. The flag itself was introduced and hoisted in public at the Indonesian Independence day ceremony, on 17 August 1945.  The flag is in every classroom.  They are very proud of their flag.

This photo shows the library and although you cant see the whole room it still gives you an idea of the few resources they have available, but everything is in good condition. Surprisingly they use the same numbering system as we use in Australia.

We are very thanful for the hospitality shown to us at the two schools in Ubud.