Way back in my community, there were some families (extended families at large) that never fancied private school, and my family was among them.
Ask them why they don't choose private schools for their children, and they'll tell you that government schools are more competitive and breed children better.
Sorry to say, but I still see it like that till today to some extent.
That's how everyone of us (children of my large extended family) grew up in the public school sector. It was a generational process because we dominated these schools with intelligent records; it was like a passing of the baton.
I followed in the footsteps of my big uncles and aunties by attending one of the community schools in my village; the oldest of the schools, the school that has a boundary with the community cemetery, which made us experience a lot of paranormal things.
I don't remember if I did creche, but I got my senses when I was in primary 1. I was very dull then, coming out 10th in position until I got to primary three, where I was made to repeat a class, and that helped me to pick up excelling spirit. From that point on, I never left the 2nd and 3rd positions.
To be honest, pupils from private schools were very far from us in terms of ratings. We were bigger than them in everything, both school academic competitions; we were stronger than them because we were the school manual's labour (we cleared grass), and this wasn't a big deal because we were not the rich kids, and to top it all, we were braver than them, all thanks to the cemetery close to us💪.
Oh, I didn't mention sports, we were very good in sporting activities, it was only football that other community schools dominated us, but not any of the private schools. Come to think of it, the public schools always have all manners of people and not the 'ajebo-ic' type (I would have mentioned names).
We had only one community secondary school, which all our forefathers have on record as the school they attended.
This school gave me a lot of fun, especially the troubles I encountered. Although it's a public school that permits "anyhow" lifestyle, but if you're caught in this 'anyhow' behaviour, then be ready to get 'anyhow' competition of flogging (whipping) from the principal, math teachers, other teachers, and to the Seniors (take note of Maths teachers).
Is it possible for a school that harbours all manner of children in the community to exist without war? Impossible! There was always a tug of war between the junior and senior sectors, and students against 'misbehaving' teachers. It's not like I'm painting my school black; that's how it was, and it was fun even in the midst of receiving heavy punishment for these things.
But among all these, the school was the best in town in terms of academic grading. The teachers were well to-do, and we, the students, competed because if you fail a class, you repeat... there's no two ways about it; the governments are in charge of exams and results. No manipulation!
There was a time when 12 of us passed a promotional exam out of 52 students, and the 40 students that failed were made to repeat. No nonsense! This act makes students serious about academics even in the face of stubbornness.
The only way private schools were better than us in average was dressing. Yes, they were neater to us because they don't do labour in their school🤧.
I'm proud to have passed through public school. Those moments were superb👌
What to be changed?
The last time I cared to listen to the Community's school record, it seem the private schools in the community have overtaken the school and that's due to the government's recent "I don't care" attitude towards the school, such as not paying teachers when due. The school will definitely bounce back once the government return to their role.
Thanks for reading.