Silas was so happy when he was told that he would be admitted soon into secondary school. There was a burning desire to resume secondary school immediately after his first school leaving examination. He was the luckiest of all his three siblings who had to stay for at least a year at home before they left for school. This was not a deliberate act to deprive them of their right to education but the financial capacity of their father could not meet such desire. As a subsistent farmer, they were living from hand to mouth hence their father had to work hard and save a little income from the sale of cassava and palm fruits for about a year before it would be enough for him to send his children to school. Silas’ father happened to be a man who believes in quality education for his children hence he would not send them to a government-owned school whom he believed does not meet up to standard. In their community, there are several secondary schools but Mr Uwem believed that the one in which Mr Nseabasi is a teacher would be best for his children hence he ensured that all his children attended Modern Commercial College. Mr Nseabasi is known in the community for his disciplinary disposition as no student ever toys with him. Parents who love discipline most times send their children to him to be disciplined. Modern Model commercial school is known particularly for its ability to discipline its students and set the right path for them to follow. Beyond this, they are intentional with teaching and academics.
It was a day for Silas to be taken for admission, a proper arrangement was made and in a moment, they were at Mr Nseabasi’s office who took them to the proprietor’s office to process Silas’ admission. In the end, Silas was admitted and he immediately began school. Silas did not have enormous information about their English teacher Mr Nseabasi, if he had known maybe, he would have protested to be taken to another school.
In their first lesson, Mr Nseabasi walked into the class and the class prefect called out “Class greet” Every member of the class stood up and shouted “Good morning sir, it’s good to see you, welcome to jss1 a class of all-round excellent”
“Good morning students” he responded and asked all of them to sit. With a long cane in his hand, all the students remained silent and were waiting for the next statement from him. “Before we have our class, I want to re-echo the rules and regulations that every one of you must abide by.” He said as he looked sternly into the faces of the students. He noticed that some of the students were not present during his first class. “I am doing this because the majority of you were not in my previous class. He added. First, you must pay attention, you must not write while I am teaching, you must attempt an answer to my questions, you must be well dressed and you must do my assignment.” As he was saying this, all the students’ eyes were fixed on him. “Ignorant of the law is not an excuse.” He said as he ended his speech. “Do you have a question based on what I just said”? He asked. There was an absolute silence in the class. “Okay,” he tipped in. “I just hope every one of you understands because I will not spare the rod to spoil the child. We can now continue with our lesson.” By the end of the class, three students were punished for not submitting their assignments.
The news of Mr Nseabasi’s high-handedness in disciplining the students started becoming popular among the new students so everyone started behaving well and they ensured that they followed the school rules and regulations. The presence of Mr Nseabasi in school will send fear and fright in students.
At the school assembly on a fateful Monday morning, the entire assembly hall was tense as some names of students were called out. Everyone knows that, when such events happen, it’s either some students are to be punished or to be awarded for exceptional achievement. In this case, all the students knew that it was about punishment because a table was brought and kept in front of the assembly hall. After the national anthem, Mr Nseabasi walked up and addressed the students.
“Good morning the good students of Modern Academy”
“Good morning sir” the students responded with a low tone
“I want to believe that you had a great weekend” he said opening the piece of paper in his hand. His long cane was comfortably resting in his left hand. “As a matter of fact”, he resumed “I want to appreciate some of you for abiding by the school rules and regulations and for some of you who have refused to walk by the school rules, I have been telling you before now that this place will not be comfortable for you, you should leave the school because I won’t be tired of correcting you.” After his statement, the students started to murmur. “Pay attention,” he called them to order. “Therefore, if you hear your name, run out here immediately”. He called out six students and after reading out their offences, they were punished according to the degree of their offences.
Two weeks later, the news spread among the students that Mr Nseabasi has travelled out of the country for coursework. It was unbelievable until after two days when he was not present in school. As a result of this, the student had the opportunity to stay back and play football every day. No students dare try this in the presence of Mr Nseabasi. After a week, none of the students expected him back soon. One day, after closing, some of the students stayed back as usual to play. Some were at that football pitch playing, some were at the nearby bush, and some changed from their school uniform to mufties. At their least expectation, Mr Nseabasi appeared from nowhere and all eyes saw him, in a moment, the students started running helter-skelter like a snake whose head had been cut off.
************
“Silas, why are you not going to school today” his mother asked him.
“Mummy, I want you to talk to Daddy to change me from school”
“why the sudden change of mind, for the past week, you’ve been coming home late, telling us that you’ve been having practical and extra moral lessons. You appraised your school and promised never to leave the school”
“Ma, you won’t understand” he interrupted
“Then make me understand” his mom insisted. Silas became speechless. “Did you do anything contrary to the school rules and regulations”? She asked
“No ma’am” he responded
“Then stand up immediately and go to school or else, I will report you to Mr Nseabasi” she commanded. Silas did not have an option, at this point, he knew that reporting him would be the worst punishment so he immediately prepared for school. On his way, he could only imagine his ordeal with Mr Nseabasi.