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Many public secondary schools back then...

Posted by: Benjamin Onuorah

Many public secondary schools back then in Akwa Ibom had shortages of teachers. So, they used corp members (corpers) like rags without regards.

The corruption in the system made is possible for ghost teachers. During supervision by local government educational authority, you'd see faces of teachers you never knew. After that day, they'd disappear.

Many subjects had no teachers. So, a single corper would be mandated to teach 3-4 subjects. And you must write lesson notes in all. Some were threatened that failure to comply, their clearance form would not be signed.

It was that period I came to serve. The older corpers were giving us— the new corpers— orientation that we should obey everything we were told so that principal would not have issues with us. They spoke of this principal like Almighty God. In fact, they were all teaching at least 2-3 or more subjects, while doubling as form teachers.

I then stood firmly and told them: "I will never teach more than a subject and will never be a form teacher. If they want teachers, they should recruit. The money is there. Why must they drain corpers like this with no good pay, no good infrastructure?"

The older corpers laughed at me and said I was running my mouth. By the time I meet principal, I should say it again. I noticed that some of them would see the principal and went into hiding. Fear. I began the wonder the kind of education they acquired. Why can't you be bold enough to face your fellow human?

The funny thing is, I was the one they felt something was wrong with. Why must you be disobedient? Just accept everything. Don't ask questions or negotiate.
On the day my class was assigned. Principal said to me: "you are a Christian. You will teach Christian Religious Studies."

I chuckled. And said to her, "No. I will only teach literature."
"Excuse me? I said, you will teach CRS!" She commanded.
"I am sorry, Principal, I will not. I am not here to preach or teach doctrines. I will only teach literature."
She probably had never seen any corper with such level of confidence to question her authority.
"Listen to me, Mark. You will teach CRS, Literature, and..."
"Thank you principal for such consideration, but I will teach only Literature and it must be in Senior Secondary, classes."
She removed her eyeglasses and said, "Excuse me! Are you dictating for me? I am your employer. You must obey everything I say."

I removed my own eyeglasses and said, "you are not my employer Madam, NYSC is. And they mandated me to do this service. If you were my employer, then, I would give you my rate to teach classes beyond what I should."
She held her breathe. Looked around to see whether anybody was listening. She probably didn't want me to corrupt other corpers they have been using to start questioning her.

Of course, some of ndị ọdịdanyanwụ— ndị ụjọ — were eavesdropping because I told them I would never teach more than a subject. It's my way of protesting against corruption in educational system where corpers were drained instead of employing teachers. They said I was blabbing. By the time I meet principal, I would calm down and be like them.

However, the principal did something that shocked everyone. She knew I couldn't be bent and I was stubborn to the core—even ready to leave the NYSC if a situation warranted— she allowed me instantly to teach literature. I was teaching only the Senior Secondary classes.

My roommate, Gabby, was another stubborn he-goat like me. Only both of us were teaching one subjects. He was teaching mathematics while I was teaching literature. Then, some corpers were complaining we were treated special while they were overworked , overused, and overran. No abro, you made the decision. Remember, we were the bad eggs, and you were the good guys. The bad eggs were respected for knowing their worths and fought against exploitation. While you were not appreciated because you tried to please to displease yourself.

While they struggled with handling many subjects, we focused on imparting students with focus. The principal, despite our stubbornness never for once failed to sign our clearance. But the obedient ones, they always refused them certain benefits the moment they tried to revolt.

I understood humans very well. If you allow yourself to be a mat, everyone will lie down and urinate on you. You should know when to negotiate and when to compromise. The world isn't fair to the weak.
I paused!

By: Maazi Ogbonnaya Okoro II
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