Gillian Gibbons: a British Teacher in Sudan on Yedda

Gillian Gibbons: a British Teacher in Sudan

You might have heard of the British teacher who was jailed in Sudan for allowing the 7 year olds in her class to call their teddy bear Mohamed. She was sentenced for 40 lashes, and now might be facing some time in jail.

This is a terrible and cruel punishment, which seems entirely inappropriate in view of her actions, especially for the democratic Western teachers.

Should she have been more aware of the cultural codes of the country she's a guest in?

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jake.brown

333 answers

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If you want to make peace you don't talk to your friends, you talk to your enemies. - Moshe Dayan

I definitely think when she decided to teach abroad, she should have researched and made herself more aware of the cultural codes of the country she is guest in. Unfortunately, this teacher unknowingly made a big mistake and will now be punished for it.

Posted 9 months ago ( permalink )

In reply to Veronica's question

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Osman

122 answers

48 thumbs up

No doubt there is need to study a foreign culture before entering it. I know that in some countries, there are mandatory courses about local culture, that teachers take before they can go and teach in that country. This makes sense but I think it really depends on where you teach. If it's an international school it's a different story altogether.

With all that being said, the punishment has no proportion to the crime and I would expect countries that would like to except foreign aid to be more tolerant towards foreigners. Perhaps the UK should have threatened to pull out all the volunteers on her behalf in Sudan if the punishment would be carried out. Anyhow these are always complicated matters with no simple answer.

All the best.

Posted 9 months ago ( permalink )

In reply to Veronica's question