Obim's Challenging Period
The class teacher began to fail Obim
as a way to punish the young student.
Despite the school headmaster's
instructions, Obim was not promoted to the next grade.
For Obim, this was a significant
challenge as he was labeled a failing student, despite being one of the
smartest in his class.
It has become a practice for some
teachers to punish students by failing them in exams, regardless of the
students' actual abilities. To excel academically, it seems students must
adhere strictly to their teachers' expectations.
According to this logic, a student's
intelligence is measured not only by their academic performance but also by
their compliance with their teachers.
The animosity between Obim and his
teachers persisted.
However, during a practical exercise,
Obim's performance was outstanding, showcasing that practical results are
undeniable.
After moving to the nearby community
of "Egwe," Obim transferred schools, where he completed his primary
education.
At Trinity High School in Oguta, the
school culture seemed to encourage Obim's previous behavior.
While Obim is naturally quiet, he is
valiant in his actions. Often underestimated due to his reserved demeanor, he
stands his ground when necessary, refusing to be taken advantage of.
When Auntie Ifeoma punished Obim, she
was surprised to hear him utter "odi eshi," a phrase he frequently
used during his primary school years.
Sir KC, known for his severe
disciplinary methods, took over Obim's punishment, subjecting him to kneel on
the school field and imposing strict penalties. Yet, Obim's resolve remained
unbroken as he repeated his slogan "odi eshi," leaving the teacher
feeling defeated.
Obim was determined to remain stoic
in the face of punishment, aiming to show courage rather than succumbing to
pain.
No other student showed the same
level of endurance to such stringent punishment as Obim did.
Obim excelled in creating inventions
such as electric irons, microwave ovens, and toy cars, proving to be the top
student in practical assessments.
He was also an exceptional artist,
often surpassing his teachers in skill. One instance during a lesson
highlighted his talent when students suggested their teacher step aside to let
Obim draw instead.
Why would they punish the innocent child of his ability to endure pain during punishment
ReplyDeleteSo painful
ReplyDeleteI had similar experience too
ReplyDelete