New School

I liked my new school. Since I was from an all girls’ school, I was surprised to see this school with both genders. The students were so many compared to my previous school. My class had an average of 50 pupils and 3 classes per stream so that’s an average of 150 students in a particular grade. The playground was big enough to accommodate us all. It was a staunch catholic school so the headmistress was a Nun (Sister). The church was a stone throw away so we went for mass services every so often.

The rules were strict and thus the overall performance of the school was top notch. Competition was stiff, so as much as the students played a lot, they also delivered good grades. I passed my interview to join in class 5 and continue. I loved my class mates and made friends very quickly. My niece, Susan’s firstborn daughter was 2 classes behind, that is class 3 and my nephew in baby class. For my first year in school my sister did not buy me a new uniform and so I wore my niece’s. It was quite evident because of the length of the dress. So embarrassing it was!

My performance in class for that year went appreciating and by the 3^rd term (semester), I was number 15 out of an average of 48 to 50 students. From a school where I used to be number 4 out of 18 to 20 students, it was understandable but not to me. So I knew I was to work even harder. My sister was not convinced so she decided to make me repeat that class. I will never forget that day when the teacher came to class 6 and announced that I should take my books and go back to class 5. I think a part of me died that day. My self esteem, my morale, my friends, all gone with the wind. I remember that day, I stood up, took my bag and as I left my classmates called me and waved goodbye and the teacher who announced, escorted me back to my previous class. It was disheartening. 

Only later to overhear my sister saying that she made me repeat classes because she did not want me to be too far off from the daughter who was now just 1 class behind me.

I used to take my nephew home over lunch hour then I commute back to class. Our place was not near so I would always be late for the afternoon classes.