Jesús, Santiago, Javier, Samuel and many smiles, words of affection, tenderness and expectation.
The prison library remains the same, if anything it seems a little bit more organized. Paco, at the helm in this privileged area, does a magnificent job preserving the books, dictionaries, comics, encyclopedias and other jewels shipshape. The large work tables dominate the room; They are huge tables faded over the years by the few rays of lights that dare to cross the prison walls, stealthily, since they, along with the air – desperately hot again -, are the only privileged living beings that can trespass the prison premises without being searched, frisked, watched, warned and inquired; tables weathered by the years and years of effort made on them, tables that wait for us happily to feel the touch of the books again, the touch of the white pages that we excitedly give to our students, smiling as they hear the clicking of the pens and pencils, some black and some colored, that will soon regain new breath after three torrid months of unbearable heat. Jaén.
 |
| Foto cortesía de SEPIE. Gracias. |
We looked at each other and, as if all that time had not passed, we resumed our classes where we left them. There is something enigmatic about this prison library that welcomes us, protects and pampers us with the knowledge enclosed in the thousands of volumes that live there. A special knowledge that, with effort, affection, enthusiasm, dedication and listening, a lot of silent listening, will gradually permeate our new students.
Rethinking our educational practices for adults, prison students and young offenders
The Tree of Sciences, what a time when I read it, back in another century!, welcomes me with a curious smile on Javier's face, who asks me, hoping to know my opinion:
-Have you read this book, teacher?
-Yes, of course, Javier, I surely have.
-So, shall I read it?
-'It's about a boy called Andrés...', answers Jesús -without me being able to say a word- who for 10 minutes, attracted the attention of Santiago, Javier and Samuel with his fluid words and calm speech. At the end of his presentation, we were all absorbed, stunned and surprised. Jesús, who the night before could not sleep well in his ugly cell because his new neighbor prevented him, had given us a true master class in Spanish Literature out of the blue without having asked or thought about it. At once.
And while Jesús was talking about Andrés and his vicissitudes, I couldn't stop thinking about how a boy with so much intelligence, a lover of theater and a connoiser- by heart - of some classic and modern works, found himself there, in that peaceful place. A library, deprived of liberty. Because Jesus' face turns happy or sad, depending on whether he enters or leaves this library.
It is not my mission to delve into those twists and turns. My task is to find the form and manner of making my teaching work as attractive as possible so that these four 1st and 2nd year Baccalaureate students advance in their studies, overcome the difficulties that life in the cooler entails, and return to the next day to the library.
By the way, I know that Javier, Santiago and Samuel are going to devour Andrés' adventures in the shadow of that tree of science. Thank you, Jesús.
Welcome to the 2023/24 school year.
Jaén Penitentiary Center.
IPEP JAÉN 1st and 2nd Baccalaureate courses
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario