By Tim Noah
It was a challenge to agree to come to Enugu for my service year. Schooled in Plateau, Abuja, and Niger States, coming eastwards of Nigeri was not on my plate of choices, what with the insecurity and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on my mind.
Thinking through it and having my dad, mom, uncles and aunties who could facilitate my serving in Abuja, I remembered my cousin of the same age, Debbie, who had served in far-away Ibadan; and knowing that insecurity was now everywhere, even in Nigeria’s seat of power, Abuja, I packed my stuff and headed for Enugu to have a taste of Igbo land for a year.
Not everyone was happy, but I was. If Heaven can not watch over in Enugu, who can?
It’s been a month since I arrived this place of primary assignment and a lot has been seen and heard that doesn’t look like anything I knew.
Firstly it’s a privately-owned school. A mission school for that matter. A man of God burdened that there wasn’t any good school around the community, established it. Interesting is the fact that first it is located in a farmland settlement of a community far from it. And as a result there isn’t any form of civilization. Now the school building comprises of a church building as well as block of class rooms, teachers lodge, the principals bungalow and a school field. The school has close to 200 pupils from nursery to junior secondary classes.
Though stratified by classes, similar problems is faced by all the children when it comes to their studies and it is the English Language (reading,spelling) and mathematics.
To begin with, being someone who hasn’t been a classroom teacher, it’s fair to say I think I became acquainted with the work space really quickly, though it isn’t wise to mark your own script. So basically, I am the class teacher incharge of Primary 3 class by implication it means I have to teach all subjects on the Primary 3 timetable due to the few hands on board.
A lot can be said about my general handling of these children but more is the fact that one has to prayerfully look for a way to teach children, with not so good background in terms of education. Not to mention that two-third of the population of children trek kilometres to come to school.
Experience as a teacher shows me that what a person thinks he knows is one thing, impacting it to others, especially to children, is a different ball game. You, first and foremost, require patience beyond a particular threshold, not even knowledge. Then simplicity in communication and effectiveness in illustrations to pass knowledge to children. Indeed foolishness abounds in the heart of children and only with the rod of correction can it be chased far. Disciplining of a child helps select the right path to be looked upon by children. One person is all that is required to use as an example for others to follow suit. Now there is zeal for knowledge in people but the required expertise and hands aren’t available.
There also is a part of this experience which involves the out of class phase. This involves the setting of lesson notes with every available freetime, resting and availability of quiet lands fit for reading, studying, meditating and praying. This seems a good time for mental capacity development and character building. I can say there’s so much to be said from how disciplined the environment will help you be, to how far from civilization we are thereby little to no noise/activities. It might be good to mention the availability of fruits like paw paw and banana and plantain.
This mission field shows how disciplined missionaries can be and how selfless they are. From my perspective it takes a genuine love for Christ to make a man live all he intends to be, to pour his life into this children. This is literally what the principal and pastors here show.
Though they further their educations to have theology certificates and masters certificates they are still faithful to raising this young ones, Its amazing to see and take note. It explains a lot about what Jesus said on faithfulness “He that is faithful in little is faith in much” he never said ” he that is faithful in little WILL BE faithful in much”. Faithfully they are running this space with little to no supervision as though there isn’t anything else to be pursued.
Now there are certain highlights for me in all these as an individual. One of which is the nature of assembly the children have both early in the morning when they come to school and immediately after school. They are made to sing hymns, recite the Ten Commandments, pray and thank God for the day and then listen to topics that are carefully brought about by the management (moral and spiritual in nature). And then recite their memory verse. The funny thing is the children might not yet notice it but their subconscious or nonconsious mind as it were is being shaped with everything God. Now I personally like times when I have to take some of these topics, either to the junior secondary or the primary. So far there has been much to see and experience but I think this is a good place to start.