An AI based app informed Ramy’s mother that his reading speed was at least 67% less than that of an average 8-year-old. He was recommended a list of Phonics related videos and games. Well, she sort of knew; he had been receiving rejections in admission tests. Dancing ‘a’, rainbow ‘sh’, twisting ‘ch’ and clownish ‘oo’ […]

Yup, a ‘new Mum’. That’s what I have been for the last 3 years and probably that’s what I will be for
the rest of my life. No matter how many books you’ve read or how many parents you’ve met (old, middle-aged, new; mildly successful to utter failures), you’re never prepared for parenthood.

“Writing tasks were monsters who often invaded my nightmares. English is not our mother tongue, so, despite their best intentions, my parents could not help me directly. It was in Year 7 that I decided to confront these monsters and defeat them.” (Habiba, Year 8, ESL).

“Miss, please do not ask us to write,” a chorus lobbied, as I stepped into the classroom and settled the pile of checked note books on the teacher’s desk. These were the voices of Year 7A, definitely the best group of students I have met in the 5 years of my teaching career.

“So, Laila. What would you like to do”? Asked Mr. Sabry, Laila’s uncle.  “Do about what”? Laila replied with a question, not intending to be impolite. “In career. Now that you are in Grade 9 or is it 10? What would you like to do? Clarified Mr. Sabry, trying to continue the conversation with the […]

As a young child I loved comics. Who doesn’t?!  Back then, at my home, reading comics was a risky business; successful completion of a comic-book was no less than a thrilling heist. My erudite father, a master’s in English literature, would permit nothing less than the classics: a Dickens or a Tolstoy. And if you […]