On Saturday 19th November 2005, Mr Kidd set off to explore the country of India.  He travelled with a group of headteachers from this region, including Mrs Kidd, who is headteacher of Ashfield Junior School.  They were hoping to find out about the Indian schools, and hopefully set up some links with their own schools back in England.  Mr Kidd sent us updates on his travels using email and mobile text messages.  You can read what he had to say on this page, and look at some of his photos, which will be uploaded as soon as we get them.

6 AM, SATURDAY MORNING

Well we're now up and nearly ready to leave . All animals fed and dog walked but guess what? Children still in bed.  We leave in half an hour for Kendal and then onto  Heathrow.  Will try to email from there.

Enjoy your sleep.

Mr Kidd

MR KIDD’S LATEST NEWSLETTER  FROM INDIA

TUESDAY 22ND NOVEMBER

Hi all

Well we're here and having a good time.

The flight here was good although we had a stopover in Delhi - you'll have to find that on the map.

First impressions were amazing - poverty and shantytowns to the rich. The journey here showed us some amazing sites including people walking down the roads with cows - this is in a city - to whole families: mother, father and two children, being transported on a moped!

We visited a school yesterday where there are 1200 children aged 3 - 9 makes ours pretty small.

Today we have had workshops with headteachers or principals as they are called here and have got a link made with a primary school where there are 2000 children!

Have had lots of Indian food and been transported in black and yellow taxis which are old Fiat cars with column change gears - last night was funny as whilst we were at a traffic light some children were begging for money and because we didn’t give them any they threw a snail into the car.

Will write more detailed news later as we now have to go onto a reception this evening.

Bets wishes

Mr Kidd

MR KIDD’S NEWSLETTER FROM INDIA

WEDNESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER

Hello from India

We’ve had a really exciting day today.  Been visiting slum school in a very poor area.  A complete eye opener!  Now we’re on a train to Pune, (pronounced Puna). When we got on the train a dry powder fire extinguisher was set off in our carriage.  We were completely white with the powder dust and could hardly breathe.  We’re okay now though.

On this train, it’s really quite interesting.  I think we’re in what they say is like our first class.  There are at least six men who keep coming round with food and drink. There is everything from tomato soup to cooked concoctions plus lots of drinks from tea to Coke.  The toilet is amazing too.  They have a stainless steel floor with a hole going straight onto the tracks!

Mrs Kidd was visiting a school for disabled children and she found it a very moving experience.

From Mr Kidd.

MR KIDD’S NEWSLETTER FROM INDIA

SUNDAY 27TH NOVEMBER

Hi All

What a good time.  Very busy and fast paced.  We've just returned from Pune and are now back in Mumbai.  Been to Elephanta Island this afternoon and then to the Hanging Gardens.  Went out for an Indian Meal tonight and had tandoori chicken!

I still can't get over the the extreme poverty and the wealth.  There are 16 million people living in this city.  We have visited slum schools, army schools, municipal schools and private schools. The municipal schools have one teacher to every 80 pupils!

See you on Wednesday.

Mr Kidd.

MONDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2005

Well what a week.

 Starting last Monday we went to a school run by a large company set up to give schooling to its workers. It was very much based on creative work and NOTHING was wasted. Newspapers were used for painting on, and all other materials were re used if they could be. No computers were seen and classes were taught all in English. They were bound by law  to teach Mahrati as well. There were about 30 children in each class.

 Tuesday had us in workshops with lots of other Heads or Principals as they are called here. We spent the whole day working on Leadership Skills. In the evening we had a reception with many more Principals and high ranking Educationalists. Had to behave myself that night.

 Wednesday we were in a totally different type of school. Run by a charitable organisation they set up reading libraries in people's houses from the slums. When I say houses I mean 1 room. Here reading in English was taught. The pictures will show the story but this is real poverty BUT very proud people and the house was as clean as anything. They have these lessons in the morning and then they go to the municipal school where there could be 1 teacher to 80 children; it's meant to be 40.

 That night we went to Pune by train where the fire extinguisher exploded and  covered us all in white powder - again the pictures will show all.

 Thursday we were in school again - we went to another charitable organisation in the slums.

 Friday to an army school  well a school for army personnel. Classes of 1 - 40 but a very high standard of work at the age of 5. by 11 we had caught up. more pictures to show the school.

 Saturday to a 5 star hotel with water slides and very plush surroundings. There was even a painted board outside welcoming us. I think their 5 star would be about our 3.

 Sunday back to Mumbai - a trip to Elephanta Island and the hanging gardens. 4 taxis for two hours = cost 1600 rupees about 20 pounds.

Going to British Council today and shopping.

See you Wednesday

Mr Kidd.