NYSC diary 001

Year: 17A

location: Boko haram region


Just when the time strikes 10, the bell rings, to the understandable joy of the ever hungry students. In fact at no time as the bell ever been rung a minute past 10 because even we the Teachers "assist" them.

On this particular day, am pissed. I storm out of the Vice principal's office wondering his daft and incoherent reply to my question. I asked something simple.

"Sir, when are we getting the text books to begin proper lesson note writing?"

He smiled before replying, "They are your younger ones, learn to understand them"

I assumed my ears were the ones faulty, I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

"I mean, the library( my voice was louder ) where text books are kept is locked and we........ "

He didn't wait for me to land.

"I would try and talk to them later"

I took my phone which I had placed on the table, hid my frown and left his office wondering what could be wrong, at least I was convinced I wasn't having ear issues.

Ike a fellow teacher gave me my answer, and its that, V.p had hearing issues. I felt pity because he was such a good man. Perhaps I shouldn't have felt pity because what followed next was funny.

"Sir, am hungry", a young JSS1 girl tapped my shoulder.

I looked back, I recognised her. She had gotten her sums right and I had flashed her a smile in class. I guess she wanted the local porridge as reward and not my smile or perhaps it wasn't perfect.

I gave her #20 watching her run along.. I made my second mistake, I shouldn't had watched, I should have walked straight into the corpers staff room. The second girl came, the one who had helped me fetch my drinking water ( she deserved hers for she had invested in me ), then the third, fourth And fifth, I shook my head in pity. I needed it.

Then I realized my mistake, No corper stays outside during break... all 23 were inside the staffroom gisting. That was the first unwritten rule learnt...