The Reason for Formal Education -By Edwin Alivionote

A child was so irritated when the 5:00am alarm woke her up reminding her that it was time to prep for school. She felt so annoyed and grudgingly had to jump out of bed. The kid brother noticed the frown on her face and asked if she was ill, she muttered, that is no business of yours. The mum who by this time was out of the kitchen into the living room, bumped into the two, exchanging words amidst mild tension. The mother ignored them as she always does, saying it was kids quarrel. This girl in question named Anna went off after breakfast to school, feeling like she was forced out of her will to go to a place of learning for a reason she was yet to understand. She bent her head over her desk wishing a teacher never entered the class that day till the closing bell rings.

After one or two classes it was time for Mr Tamuno, the Civic teacher as scheduled in the class time table, Anna was already exhausted with the boredom of the class environment. She thought to herself, I had no reason to come to school today but, I can’t just stay at home either since my parents wouldn’t allow me to. She was so busy in her mind stream that she was physically in the class taking lessons in Civic education while her thoughts travelled back home to the same bed that she had to wake up from forcefully as at 5.00Am. Startled by the sound of a clap on her desk, she regained consciousness of the class environment, now noticing Mr Tamuno standing in front of her with a staring look. What is going on in your mind miss Anna?, I noticed your attention is off this class!

Anna was struggling so hard to get an answer that will reassure Mr Tamuno that she was following up with the class exercise but of course she struggled in vain, as no word came out. Instead she stared at the fellow class members who were by now focused on her as the object of attention. We have to continue the class Ann but, you and I need to talk by break time, Mr Tamuno said to her with a smile which was masked with the puzzle of what might be wrong with Anna, who happened to be the second best student in Civic Class.

The next scene was the office of Mr Tamuno with Anna seated at the other end of the teacher’s table. The Biology teacher just walked into the staff room sited Anna, and asked if she was having issues with Civic Education subject. Anna; I don’t have any issue with the subject ma, I just don’t have the appetite for school this morning moreover, I was bored all through in class, so sure that is the reason Mr Tamuno requested I see him here. Just as she was making this statement, Mr Tamuno walked in, hearing all her comments regarding her lack-of-interest with school today.

My dear Anna, I’ve heard your statement which had cleared me of your disturbing attitude towards learning today. I understand the fact that, all days don’t meet us with same mood and mind frame. But, I need you to understand that your coming to school is not a routine exercise neither is it a duty you owe your parents. The main reason you come to school, is so you understand yourself better. The subject combinations in school are meant to expose various aspects of life to your understanding. As you climb the lather of education, you acquire much information and knowledge that can help you make good decision about your choices in life. Thus, if I were to give you a singular reason why you go to school, I would say; you go to school to learn to become the best that you should be in life. The will to school should not stem from parental push to learn but the desire to become the best of what you want to be as a person.

Cont’d in edition 2.