Mexican students feeling ‘insecure’

Posted 29 Apr 2009

Mexican schoolchildren have told their UK counterparts how they are coping with the outbreak of swine flu in the country.

Pupils at Secundaria Tecnica 44 – Francisco Villa in Mexico City are twinned with Ulverston Victoria High School through a British Council scheme.

Brits Nathan and Mark relayed to the BBC that most students are feeling incredibly anxious and isolated since the school was closed.

Nathan told the news provider: "They say they are not going out at all or only very rarely. If they get the flu they could spread it to their families."

"They feel very insecure," he added.

Meanwhile, teacher Pat Hannam, who co-ordinates the partnership for Ulverston Victoria, said colleagues in Mexico are also under financial strain because of the situation.

She explained: "The economy is by and large a cash economy. If you do not work there is no income so we are worried about how it is after ten days of no work."

TEFL teachers eyeing placements in Mexico have been advised against all but essential travel to the country by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Category: Teaching and Learning