"When teachers are absent" -- Tarisai Dahwa

The classroom feels weird, something is missing. The first few minutes are awkward and tense at the same time, people are kept in suspense, ‘Is she coming? Is she not?’ The excitement builds up after ten minutes, pupils are filled with so much joy at the thought of a free lesson, well, that is, until, the replacement teacher walks in.

Let us rewind to some years back, Form One. When a teacher was absent, oh what a joyous day it would be! Some students sat and did nothing, some chose to sleep, whilst others would roam around the school like lost sheep. However, the student no one liked would always make sure this happiness was short lived as she would make her way to the front office in a desperate search for her teacher. The same thing occurred in Form Two.

When Form Three arrived, the students had formed some form of alliance with each other. They would not go call the teacher, no matter what. Instead, a mini party and a forty minute “bonding session” would be held in the teacher’s absence. The same went for Form Four. Some sort of  ‘anti-lesson’ feeling was spread amongst the students.

Now they are in Lower Six, a completely different story. When teachers are absent, there is no mini party to be held, the students do not bother to call the teacher. But instead, students find themselves continuing with the lesson as if the teacher were there. They find work to do, and they do it. They need not be instructed to do it. After all, that is what is expected of them. They co-ordinate themselves as a class, the best way possible, and help each other to get on with whatever work they have to do.

However, there is now that one student that, instead of going to call the teacher like in Form One, makes noise and disrupts everyone else who is trying to be productive, when the teachers are absent.

Tarisai Dahwa