I'm beginning to think I'm getting redundant when I talk about my students but this week has been very frustrating. I observed a couple of classes and I have to say, these students probably cannot even compete with Lagos state public school students. They'll fail. Whoppinly so. I know that's not a real word but I need to emphasise how badly they’re doing.

And the biggest problem, they don't UNDERSTAND the value of their education. Their circumstances are not the best, the teachers aren't the most qualified (I mean I had a teacher asking if I can “taught her class next week”) but I'm beginning to see that some teachers are really trying to the best of their ability but these students are block heads. This being the "promotional" term, they're all supposed to miraculously pass because their government funded education doesn't pay for more than 6 years in secondary school. So basically, these students will most likely be "assisted" during the exam and they'll move to the next class feeling good about themselves when they don't know jack. Afterall, all they need is 40% to pass. If they do fail, they’ll still be promoted through a system called “mass promotion.” Honestly, I don’t even understand the term but the logic is that if most of these students are asked to repeat a class, they usually transfer to a different school where they’ll be promoted anyway so why not just promote them and keep them close to home? That makes perfect sense, huh. I gave my government students a surprise test and of course, they basically all failed even though it was based on content that we just covered. Apparently, I didn’t give them “enough” time to prepare. I’m officially done with their test (which is 30%) and I have students with 1%. How is that even possible? Anyway, everything is left to their exam now which I just finished writing this evening. Looks like their 40% promotional grade is going to be more challenging for them to achieve but hey, who needs to study when you’ll most likely still be promoted?

Add that to the fact that they don't respect authority. They walk out when it suits them, they talk whenever they want, and they cheat in front of me as if it is normal. Basically, anything goes for them. I was so upset with both my JS1 and SS1 classes this week and I gave them a “speech.” The JS1 students now seem better behaved (granted I also had to beat some students) but the SS1, those ones are just hard headed or maybe I should say hardened.

Anyway, so I pride myself in knowing all my students and learning most of their names. Earlier this week, I saw a girl in my social studies class for the first time. She had only been to school one other time this term because she was helping her mother sell her goods. I don't know what she sells but exams start in 2 weeks and she's supposed to do it. She barely has notes, speaks very little English and unfortunately for her, she doesn’t have a desk so she’s always kneeling to write her notes. I’m going to talk to the school administration about her situation but I can already see them not being bothered. After all, I had a couple of students absent for weeks and I was told that they would turn up. There was no need to worry. These villagers really do not understand why their education is important so it is easy for them to take their children when they need them and the children themselves don’t understand so it’s not like they can explain to their parents.

Enough ranting, we had a “surprise” visit by our former LGI and new LGI. It’s a good thing that most of us were around the village at the time because we had to write our names with the new LGI. The new LGI is actually from the same town that I am from, Epe, Lagos. Small small world. He said we’re family but you know Nigerians. He’s a Seriki which my great-grandmother was but that is a very distant relationship. The next day, we had our community development and he spoke to us for about 2 hours, some of which was answering our questions. He encouraged us to basically look for a “side hustle” because NYSC isn’t cutting it for most people. If it’s not for the money, then at least do something else for the experience.

Another random side note, I had a full meal for N230 (approx $1.50). Yes, jollof rice, fried rice, plantains, the whole works. And it was good too. Who knew food could be so cheap? I honestly don't know anywhere in Lagos that'll be so cheap but I’m sure there are places.

I had a video to upload with this post but it isn't working. I'm going to try it again in a separate post. 

Thanks for reading :-)