Jimi and Daniel got to school just before assembly was due to start. Jimmy left to join the other prefects. Money assembly took long in the large Hall that stood in the center of the school and students lined up according to their classes. The school brand, looking smart as always had positioned itself in one corner and was already beating drums softly in practice. A few teachers we are waiting outside the hall , ready to punish late commerce by asking them to knew down.
At 8:00 , Eden lawal , the head boys stood up on the stage. He was fat and smooth cheeked from the holidays , and with his hand on his chest his mind with faint , smungness. He loved his job.
'Attention everybody! ' he called out .'The National Anthem.'
The the school band stroke up the tune drums beating and students raggedly joined in. The genius we are eager and enthusiastic, the senior uninterested.
All the students of Forcados High School we are excited to be back after the long long summer break. The school held and on official pride of place among all the other schools in the area : It had the largest football field and the best layout bright purple and orange bougainvillea had been carefully planted along the fences. The school buildings were arranged in small one _and two storey blocks, with rows of hibiscus plants forming small hedges between each class. Others often said that Forcados students are ' artificial,' but the school took pride in the fact that it always defeated other schools in regional quizzes and sports.
After the national anthem and assembly prayers, Mr Mallum, the principal, gave a brief talk welcoming everyone,
He was a old wiry man with an old accent, as if he spoke through his nose. The students love imitating him.
' it's a pleasure to have all of you back. It is very important however, that we face up to the responsibilities of this term, particularly for the final year students who have their exams to write . This is an important watershed....'