Resumption Day: A Fresh Start for a New Term

Today is resumption day for our students, just like I mentioned a few months ago. In Lagos State, teachers don't really get holidays like people think. It is only the students that are given proper holidays. Teachers are expected to still be around, doing one thing or the other.

Many people like to say teaching is an easy job because they think we are always on holiday. But they forget that unlike workers in other government offices, we teachers don't take official leave. Even during the holidays, we still have meetings, planning, training, and preparation to do.

Normally, on resumption day, students don't show up in large numbers. Many of them believe that there won’t be any serious work on the first day, so they stay back at home. Some even stay away because they don't want to join in the cleaning activities that usually happen on resumption day.

But what they don't realize is that even on the first day, important things are supposed to happen. Resumption day matters because it helps set the tone for the term. Plus, the scheme of work is planned with every week in mind, so missing even one day can affect the schedule.

Today, after the assembly, which the principal addressed the students, we class teachers went to our classes to mark attendance. As expected, many students were absent. After that, all the teachers gathered in the staff room for a short meeting. We discussed academic plans and other important things we need for the term.

As for me, my students were assigned to clean the back of the school building. Our job was to pick up all the litter, cut the grass, and make the whole place clean and neat. In government schools like ours, cleaning the school compound is a normal part of resumption activities.

Some people might ask why students should be the ones doing this. They might say it is child labour and that the government should hire cleaners instead. But honestly, I don’t see it that way. Cleaning teaches the students responsibility. It shows them that keeping their environment clean is part of being a good citizen. It’s not every day that they do this, just once in a while. I believe it’s a good way to prepare them for real life, where they will have to take care of their homes and surroundings by themselves.

During the cleaning, I stayed with my students, guiding and supervising them. I made sure they were working carefully and not hurting themselves. I encouraged them to do their best and praised their efforts. By the time they finished, you could see the pride and satisfaction on their faces. They knew they had done something good.

Today might not have been full of books and lessons, but it was a very important day. We set the stage for the new term, got the school ready, and helped the students learn some important life lessons, too.

Resumption day is not just about cleaning. It’s about starting fresh, working together, and reminding ourselves that school is not only about academics, it is also about building character and learning how to be responsible members of society.

Overall, even though the turnout was low, I’m happy with how the day went. I look forward to a smooth and successful term ahead.