The new school term started this week. It also marks the beginning of the new school year. The first day of school is a day that some children love and most dread. Its a day when you start the long school term of roughly three months. I remember when I was a young boy growing up I always looked forward to the first day of school. It was a day when you would go to school and not do much work. You got to talk to your classmates about what you did during the long summer vacation. You got to show off what new pair of sneakers your mom bought for you and most importantly you got to find out who was going to be your teacher for the next school year. It would all be cool for the first few days of the week until you actually settled down to do the actual school work. Then the the real trouble began and you realized how much you missed the long summer vacation. There was one time though back in 1988 when every pupil's dream came true. The elementary school which I attended was not repaired on time during the summer vacation period. I was eight years old at the time and I had arrived in school with Barry my good neighbour and one of my best friends in school from the previous years. It was then that I noticed that there were a lot of school children and parents protesting outside the school compound.
I really didn't know what was going on at the time. I had never seen something like this before. It was then that the principal of the school, Mr. White came to address the gathering. We all waited in humble expectation for what he possibly had to say. 'Good morning parents, pupils and teachers.' 'I regret to inform you that as of this time school will not continue until the relevant repairs are done.' 'The process will take approximately eight weeks.' Was I hearing right? Was school really going to be closed for an additional eight weeks? 'Wow!' I said in my mind as a smile appeared on my face. Not wanting to stick around too long in school, Barry and myself hurried home all excited to tell our parents the 'good news.' I arrived home very quickly. Naturally my mom was curious to know what was going on when she saw me. She decided to phone the school to confirm if my story was legitimate. I guess she was being a typical mother. Lo and behold it was in fact true. It was her worse nightmare. She would have to endure my daily mischief for another two months. She then put me to sit down as she gave me a good long talk. 'Listen young man.' She said in a stern tone. 'You will be home for an additional two months now. That doesn't mean to say that you are on an extended vacation.' During the period I will be very strict with you and I will be teaching you from the new books that were bought for you for the school year.'
'I want you going back to school as sharp as ever.' 'You must not get the impression that you have an additional two months of vacation, okay young man?' 'Yes mom' was the reply as I thought about how the next eight weeks were going to be like. 'Was she going to be very strict with me?' 'Was I going to get the belt across my back often if I failed to study?' 'Would I be able to watch TV or play 'Police and Thief ' and more of my favorite childhood games with my best friend Barry?' During the next two months my mother delivered on her promise. Everyday she drilled me for at least two hours in my school work while my dad went to work. I naturally hated it but I knew that it was in my best interest. Sure, I had my period of fun and games and watching TV and playing 'Police and Thief' with Barry, but I still had to endure the arduous task of having to understand my lessons under the threat of the dreaded belt coming across my back. When school finally reopened in November, I wasn't disappointed at all. Surprisingly, I was ecstatic. After four long months I was finally going to get to wear my new uniform and sneakers and reunite with my classmates who I hadn't seen in ages. Yeah I know. It was only four months. For an eight-year-old though, it felt like eternity.
