Blake Probus Club meeting

9:57am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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PRESIDENT, Grahame Lock, commenced proceedings at April's Blake Probus Club meeting, by welcoming Brian Lyall as a new member.

As the regular hosts were on holiday, Mesdames Castle, Mobsby and Pasco looked after the refreshments and were thanked for their efforts as they joined the other members for the talk.

Speaker, ex-schoolteacher Andy Dixon, had travelled to Madras in India, along with his schoolteacher wife and six students and said the first part of the trip was sightseeing and fact-finding. He showed many photographic slides of the basic conditions that exist with a lot of excellent work going on for very low wages including splendid stone masonry and spectacular saris being made from homespun silks. Also tailors who can produce a suit in a day for a very low price - all quite amazing.

The second stage was time spent at a school, which had a junior section and a separate building for the senior pupils. Andy said the local children had a strong urge to learn, as they knew that was the way to get up life's ladder and consequently their behaviour was impeccable.

However he noted that they were taught to memorise the subject matter, rather than reason it out for themselves. Having been given a question they were shortly afterwards given a model answer, to be remembered for the future.

There was evidence of what would be considerd an over 16's college where work skills and subjects such as typing and computing were taught. Andy thought they were educating themselves as befits an emerging nation on the world scene and he had thoroughly enjoyed his time there.

The president gave thanks, which were endorsed by a good round of applause. A reminder of the luncheon on May 14 at the Enmore Grill.