What should I do?
My
son got expelled from the hostel in the middle of his NECO exams
for....(wait for it)....advising a junior student (girl), who reported a
case of molestation by another student (girl) to him, to go tell a
teacher she is comfortable with. The school says he shouldn't have
advised, but to hush....keep quiet...stay mum....gbenudake! (sounds
weird huh?).
I've
been calm in the past two weeks since it happened, only my few friends
(3) knew the heavy burden I've borne. I have been giving support to my
son through this period. He was too shocked to believe he is being
punished for what he thought was right to do - advising the poor girl to
open up to an adult!
The
molesting student was punished - how? To wash plates. Molestation in
every word o - breast-touching, forcing her for a kiss, ati bee bee lo.
The school did not even mind what psychological effect this might have on my son who had a paper the very next day!
The Proprietress had called me that Monday morning, demanding I come quickly. Being Monday,
a heavily -packed one with meetings and activities, I appealed to push
the 'urgent' meeting till the next day. She reluctantly agreed, then I
asked to know why the urgency, she said she does not think she can keep
having my son in the hostel. Wetin happen? She said she cannot discuss
the matter on phone. I wondered! I still visited two days earlier, what
could have gone wrong in the last 48 hours?!! With that I promised to
see her the next day - Tuesday.
Whossai! She called my son to her office after the call, and suspended
him. The poor boy went on his kneels asking that he be forgiven for
advising! The woman drove him out o, querying why his mother did not
abandon whatever she was doing to come answer her call. My son even
explained how heavy her widow-mother's work-life is, she won't bulge! I
am one that goes to any length to honour even the slightest call for
attention from my children or their school or even teachers o. Those
that know me will attest to this. I devote time to my sons at ANY cost!
Anyway,
I have chosen not to even dignify the school authority with a call talk
less of a visit since then. I just take him for his exam and pick him
after. The owner loves to cow her staff and anyone willing. Definitely
not me!
The suspension letter did not state reasons for suspension but put this:
"He (my sweet son o) is only allowed to sit for the exams and leave promptly after each paper" as if na thief he thief o!
The
shock for me in the past two weeks no get Part 2. I have kept how
hurting this has been to my chest. Suspended for advising to report
molestation..ghen ghen
He took his last paper yesterday, so I am asking: what is best to do now?
PS:
The school suspended a student this way last year also, over a mere
exchange between him and the housemaster (that's another loongggg
story), blotted out his picture from their year book, denied him to
partake in the graduation, did not hand him the 4 awards due him, last
year/session. Obviously, all the lies they slammed at the poor kid, the
parents unknowingly believed and trashed their son the more. It is good
to know your children well so you know when they are being lied against
and chide them accordingly when they are the one in the wrong. Most
parents always think "these adults can't be wrong nah" "Grandma can't be
lying against you ke". Well, I got to know about the case well after,
and even took the Director of Studies up on what I thought was "a
bazooka treatment on a mosquito" kilode! He tried to justify their
actions. Little did I know they would soon reach my side. Now, my few
friends that know about my son's ill-treatment by the school are also
concerned the school might go all out after my son. They've been
wondering why I never tear them sef!
Reason
for their concern: this same housemaster suddenly started picking on my
son in February this year accusing him of all sorts of unthinkable
things. Because I know my sons wella, they are my homies, trust me - we
be bff - it was easy for me to know something was amiss. A little
investigation and I discovered the housemaster wanted a puppet, an
accomplice to perpetrate injustice. Before I could act, my son was
suspended from the hostel. E gba mi somebody! I flew down to the school,
and by when I revealed all my findings, the suspension was not only
reversed, the housemaster in question was fired!
I
think the Proprietress and some who felt their ego was bruised by
forcing them to see how much their values stink haven't forgiven me (my
son). Number of students drop every year, I am told. Now I know why. My
son joined them two years ago.
Even
with this latest happenings, I have received calls from some teachers
appealing to me, a few parents and many students are wondering why I am
not acting. Heard some form of silent kicking is brewing - students,
some teachers who are not in the Proprietress circle.
As
I write this, his Basketball Team mates are calling him to come join
them for training preparatory to some Valedictory matches earlier
scheduled. He is the tallest in his school and quite liked by most
students, I guess for his calm but fun way of relating to all. A teacher
had assured him he will speak with the Proprietress and demand that he
partakes. This teacher spoke with him few days before this whole drama
unfolded to be strong and know that something unpalatable was about to
happen, some outcome he (my son) would never have expected. My son told
me about this conversation with the teacher just few days ago. All the
puzzle just coming together now, he said to me.
I
doubt if I even want him to go to the school now should they ask him to
come for the Training, because of the clause on his suspension letter.
Make somebody no go ask while he came haven been strictly stated not to
come except for his exams.
Missing
out on all the fun of just finishing secondary school, the good-bye
activities, plans to really celebrate leaving a landmark stage of one's
life and all, is getting to him. I've been talking to him since morning,
encouraging him but at some point, I was moved to tears. He is being
deprived of all these for doing the right thing! Not easy when you
suffer this way o!
And I just hope they won't say he shouldn't come for his graduation o.
This poor woman - Mayokun Akpoterabor - needs your advice.
Thank you.
Post a Comment