How I survived a year being a Primary Teacher in Morocco

 I just read this article about female Primary Teachers and their higher-than-average risk of suicide. Some horrible percentage.  There were some reasons given, like money and stuff, but I would add the whole environment including students are involved.
  So my story is about how I survived a year( the whole school year, oh dear!!!) being a Primary Teacher in Casablanca, Morocco.

  First of all, I had 9 years of teaching experience laying on my shoulders, I had a Master degree on Educational Management, I was calm and confident. And naive- this is a basic characteristic for foreigners who are involved in Moroccan Private Educational System. For most of them at least. The problem is not that students cannot care less about you and your subject( which can be anywhere) or that the administration do not help you in your school needs( which also not a rare situation for the teachers),  but the problem is this sick and awful believe that knowledge comes through fear, ancient animalistic fear. So students can study ONLY when they are afraid of their teachers, and I mean they are AFRAID to move, afraid to breathe etc. The first thing I was tough after signing my contract was: "Never smile to them", the second one: "Never play with them!". And yes, we are talking about Primary School right now.

  Why I mentioned foreigners before? Because there are a lot of us, and we work in schools too and we see the different attitude through students-like they know we cannot kick or touch them or shout at them, because it works in a different way in our countries. We respect each other, because we are equal. In Morocco it is not like that- teachers are screaming, kicks are highly possible even in Private Schools which are proclaiming themselves respectful, caring for children's needs etc...Why so? Because these teachers were the students, who were treated at the same sick way by their teachers, who were also students long ago, who were treated...And the saddest thing that these kind of things are normal, like it is ok, it is Morocco, just relax etc!

  I strongly believe in Education! I believe that it can fix a lot of problems and minds! That is why I am always searching for a place here, where I can use my knowledge and experience in order to educate as many children as I can. And to learn from them as well, because I think only here it happens that after the worst class ever, this naughty student comes to you and hugs you, saying:" I love you, Teacher. We are friends, right?"!