Passing the Bac

Tom with one of those that passed this year

Voice message (in slightly stilted English):  “Hello Mr. Tom.  Since yesterday I want to tell you…Many people come to our home to congratulate me…So I success the Baccalaureate, God be praised, with mention Good.  Yes.  I succeed to the Baccalaureate with mention good.  So I am so happy here, and tell also Megan that I success the Bac.”

Text message:  Hi teacher.  I pass the BAC.

Text message: Bwe passed the Bac.
 
Since we’ve been back to the States we’ve heard from islanders at different times, mostly through apps like messenger, WhatsApp or facebook.  They like to check in every so often and make sure we are doing okay and ask when we will be coming back.  But this weekend we got a flurry of messages with a bunch of good news.  Three of our friends had passed the Bac!

Anyone who has ever lived in a francophone country will be familiar with the International Baccalaureate Exam.  For everyone in francophone countries—and that includes the islands—the Bac, as it is often called, is your ticket to higher education.  It is the one and only way to move to university.  There are no other metrics considered.  There is no high school diploma, either you pass the Bac or you take it again until you do. Passing the Bac is a big deal.  There is arguably nothing bigger in the life of a young person on the islands.  The years of high school are spent preparing for the Bac.  Many islanders don’t pass the first time, but it is only offered once a year, so they spend the next year re-preparing for the Bac.  We’ve known people who have taken the Bac six times.  Imagine waiting six years to finally “graduate” from high school and be eligible for college.

There are some other peculiarities about the Bac.  The French system is graded very differently than the American system.  There is no 100%’s and nearly no 90%’s.  In fact 80% by French standards is an excellent grade.  In the French/Island system everything is out of 20.  So think about 16 out of 20 (16/20) as an excellent score.  The French system divides grades into levels.  There is non-passing and passing and then two levels honors or “mention” (good and very good).

Kids with cousin at Arboretum

I have never heard of an islander getting a “very-good mention”.  Rarely have I heard of one getting a “good mention” (Though you read in the voice message that one of our three friends got a good mention this year! And on his first try too!) You can pass the Bac with as little as 7/20.  In US terms that’s like getting 35%.  It seems like the majority of islanders get about a 7, passing the Bac by the skin of their teeth.  For most, the exact grade doesn’t matter—just passing is everything. I’ve heard more than one islander exclaim that the day they heard that they passed the Bac was the happiest day of their lives.

The exam results are announced over the radio, and every radio is tuned in.  Everyone is listening.  To give some semblance of anonymity, results are announced by number, but everyone in your extended family knows your number and everyone is huddled around the radio listening, waiting, ready to celebrate or hang their heads.  So for example, the radio reporter will say “746 - passing.” And a crowd of people at the neighbors’ house will begin to celebrate, dancing and shouting congratulations around a triumphant student.  But if the radio reporter moves from 740 to 750 without a mention of 746, then everyone knows that poor 746 did not pass this year.  The condolence is always the same.  “Next year, God willing.”

It is either a wonderful or horrible day, depending on the news. Two of the three friends that passed this year were taking the Bac for their second or third time.  I remember visiting them after last year’s failures.  It was a sad time.  But last year will be forgotten now, and how they must be rejoicing! For those who have succeeded in passing the Bac, the celebration continues for many days as they spread the news. It is the successful student’s responsibility (if possible) to buy all their family and friends a soda. We’ve already been assured that our drinks will be waiting for us when we get back! But even though we can’t drink soda with them now, we can rejoice with them, praying for the new chapter opening before them.

Busy at work

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We all made it safely to DC and have been helping Megan’s sister’s family.  Tom and Megan’s brother were busy with fix-it jobs and carrying heavy furniture.  Megan and the kids have been babysitters, cooks, and helpers throughout.  It’s been a great, but busy weekend.  We had a good online meeting with perspective team members.  May interest continue!  The Islands have opened up their borders to international flights as of yesterday! We will be looking into getting tickets soon.  Megan’s back has been doing okay despite lots of work and driving.  We are rejoicing with island friends who have passed the Bac.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for safe travels back to Boston and fast, negative COVID test results to minimize our quarantine times.  Pray as we look for tickets back to the islands and begin planning for our return.  Pray for upcoming zoom calls with more perspective team members and other opportunities we have to share, inspire and encourage this week.  Now that the islands have opened their borders there are many colleagues who hope to travel.  Pray for families and singles both coming and going to the islands and especially lift up the couple expecting their first child and hoping to go to Kenya for the birth.  Pray for the light to shine on the islands.  We continue to hear good news of our island  brothers and sisters getting opportunities to share about the Kingdom of Light and seeing them support one another through prayer and the word via social media.