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Reminiscences on my Early School Teachers
By Lateef Oladeji of Gem Business Ventures
The sight of teachers inspired awe in me as a child. It was probably due to the fearful impression I had about their canes, or to the fact that they always reminded me of the future possibility of being separated from my father’s farm and its "paradise-like" life. It must have been due to both, and the dread of school they created in me greatly accounted for my failed first year in school in 1960. It was like I had taken the whole of that year to grapple with my fear of school and teachers, while real learning actually started when I repeated class in 1961. Thank God the school authorities wisely ruled against my being ‘promoted on trial’ to the next class. I would have ended up a woeful dropout. It is nostalgic to look back now at my early school days and teachers, who have made great impacts on my life, one way or the other. I have decided to cite some of them by initials and nicknames so as to protect their privacy. As if I had overcome my gripping fear of teachers, having discovered that they were human and humane after all, I had grown bolder and more confident by the time I got to primary 2. Unfortunately, a twist of fate turned my new boldness against me, and actualized the demon I had all along seen in teachers. My class teacher, Mrs. A, a pretty but frail-looking princess, was in the habit of borrowing my food bowl to buy her break-time food. Rather than her action occurring to me as that of (undeserved) love, trust and respect, my simple mind saw it as an unnecessary inconvenience to, and a possible way of contracting an infection by, me. Then, it finally happened. I could not take it any more. I turned down her request for my food bowl, and even told her why, emphasizing the infection point. Words cannot describe what I suffered that unlucky day from the canes of Mrs. A. I think I deserved what I got, paying back a condescending teacher’s love with insult and embarrassment. Each time I remember the incident, I cringe with shame. I never had the chance of apologizing to the woman before I learnt that she had passed on. While I wish Mrs. A to forgive me, for I knew not what I did, I pray for the peaceful repose of her soul. By the time I got to primary 4, I had become much loved by most teachers, as I had become one of the best pupils in academics, morals and extra-curricular activities. This partly made my class teacher, Mr. K.O. (who was a bachelor then) take me as his regular ‘boy’ for doing his domestic chores and for running sundry errands. My proximity to his residence also contributed to his choice of me. Which pupil in those days would not feel special for playing such roles for a teacher? Teachers were kings then. However, an incident happened, making me witness once again the demonic side of a teacher. Mr. K. O. had sent me on errand to his girlfriend. Delivering her message back to him, he felt that I had used an expression that was not respectful enough to the former. I had become marked. He did not have to wait long. The simple mistake I committed in class the following day was all he needed to pour out all his bottled anger on me. He beat me mercilessly with my handicraft broom to the extent that bruised patterns were visible on my neck and face. Indeed, some broken pieces of the broom got stuck in my head, giving my desk mate a big task to effect their removal later. Mr. K.O. really made me realize at my tender age of 10 then that some men could kill over a minor matter concerning their girlfriends! I have forgiven him, and hope that God has done so too. At the then secondary modern school, which I got admitted to in 1967 for a three-year course, I met real great teachers, who were instrumental to the little I have achieved today. Three of them prominently come to mind. They are Messrs T. L. Salami, Bisi Oniwinde and Lasisi Ayankojo. They all knew and handled their respective subjects very well, giving me a very solid foundation to build upon in my subsequent educational pursuits. They also offered very invaluable advice, showed affection and provided academic guidance. Indeed, the fuss they showered on me obviously reflected their belief in me, and this greatly helped me in building up self confidence and making me resolve to attain a reasonable height in my educational career, poverty notwithstanding. Some specific examples about these teachers’ kindness towards me are probably not out of place here. As he revealed to me later, Mr. Ayankojo was one of the teachers who championed my being made the school senior prefect in 1969, despite my relative youth and small stature at that time. I recall with trepidation how he had called me to a quiet side of the assembly hall, and revealed to me that the headmaster was being awaited to announce the new officers, with me at their head. Sensing my fear and confusion, he had remarked that I was the best candidate for the job, reassuring me that I would make a success of the new position. Even if I had wanted to, it was too late to protest or back out. Moreover, I did not want to disappoint him with any show of cowardice. I also recall another of Mr. Ayankojo’s display of kindness towards me. I had impressed him so much in one of his subject tests that he scored me 105%! What a great way to reward a student’s hard work and motivate him towards greater heights! Messrs Salami and Oniwinde were inseparable friends, and were almost always doing things jointly to the admiration of us students and their fellow teachers. They particularly stand out among other teachers to make me the modest success that I am today. They were very good at teaching their respective subjects, which were core subjects - Arithmetic (an important part of Mathematics) and English Language. For this, it was so very easy for me to get by in those subjects at the higher educational levels. The duo also felt great concern over my future educational attainments in view of my indigent status. This made them take it upon themselves to undertake a visit to my father to plead with him to do all within his power to ensure that my formal education would not be derailed. How I wish their visit had worked some miracles in my father’s financial plight! Unfortunately, it was a failed mission, or so it seemed. Undaunted, Messrs Salami and Oniwinde continued to explore other ways of helping me even after I had left school. They advised and encouraged me to obtain correspondence tuition to study at home for qualifying certificates for university admission. Mr. Salami was particularly helpful in this regard, including guiding me on what subjects to offer and strategies to adopt. I am proud and happy that I have not disappointed those great teachers. I owe all of them a debt of gratitude, and possibly that of material tokens. They are my huge heroes! Unfortunately, Mr. Oniwinde passed on about a year ago. While I pray for the peaceful repose of his soul, I wish his fellow great teachers, who are still living, long life and sound health to enjoy the fruit of their labour.
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Contributor's Note
Teachers, your pupils and students are watching you. Be fair to them.
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 | | Laraine appreciated this intel. Feb 12, 2011 |
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You had a very difficult time in your early school years. I am so happy that it ended well. Today, harassed by parents, teachers, students and outsiders, the school principal - and indeed the entire school system in many cases - has reduced teaching to the level of keeping discipline. Too bad!
 | | Laraine Feb 12, 2011 09:33 |  appreciated |
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This intel was contributed by gembiz
gembiz
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