Teacher’s Mind: Back to school time

As you read this week’s column many students are already packing their bags with some of them wearing long faces now that the holiday has come to an end. The holiday is always such a great time that even God considered one after creating the universe. But all good things come to an end so the holiday is really over. There is no need to view the end of the holiday in a negative way. I know for a fact that teachers like me can’t wait to get back to work. Being idle is not such a good experience especially if stretches beyond a month. The students too have been missing their schools in one way or another. Many of them have not seen their playmates for a very long time and are now itching to see them and give exchange tight hugs and narrate their holiday tales to each other. For those in boarding schools, the journey back to school may begin as early as tomorrow so that on Monday they can be in class, ready to start real business. This is always a good strategy that I think should be upheld. The people in the business sector tend to love this season they amiably call ‘back to school.’ During this time, you will find many shops and supermarkets trying to sell lots of scholastic materials that may be bought by students returning to school. Supermarkets like Simba have even put up huge banners reminding whoever cares to read that they are having a back to school promotion. As other people endure the often financially stressing January spell, shops dealing in scholastic materials and stationery will have a smile reserved for their owners in terms of good sales. And it is not just the students that are buying scholastic materials. Schools are also stocking up on food, fire wood and other educational materials like chalk that will be used in class once the students show up. Parents need to make an effort to pay school fees for their children early enough. It is always wise to take this money to the bank and deposit it on the school account. Most schools do not receive cash in form of school fees. While banking this money, make sure you check the school’s account number so that you do not erroneously put the money on the wrong account. A word of caution though, some students tend to present false reports to their parents at the end of the year. Such students will also insist on banking the fees as well as going to school by themselves. Any parent who is not sure of the marks that their child brought home should feel free to go to the school and find out the truth before it’s too late. Students need to carry enough scholastic materials in form of books, pens, geometry sets, calculators and other basic necessities like a basin, a jerrycan, and utensils among others for those attending boarding school. Students moving from one class to another should not throw away the books they used in the previous year because examination questions are always derived from all the topics covered. On a rather serious note, I request parents and guardians to make an effort to check and see the things that the students have packed and intend to bring to school. It is very common for some students to bring lots of illegal things to school from their homes. Mobile phones for instance are not allowed in most boarding schools to ensure that students can remain focused while at school. Schools should have a strategy of checking students as they enter the school. Those in charge need to check to see that students have brought the vital things they are supposed to and have not brought anything that the school rules and regulations prohibit. I wish the students a great academic year 2009. Contact: ssenyonga@gmail.com