This archive report was first published on 15 September 2019.
On a typical Wednesday morning, the staff of a local school would expect their headmistress, Bensouda, to stroll in around 11am, but not this week. On September 11, 2019, she arrived at 8:30am, a full hour and a half earlier than usual, leaving her deputy, Dre, and a handful of teachers in awe.
As the staff gathered for a mandatory meeting, Bensouda's demeanor was stern, her face set with determination. She had a clear agenda, and nothing was going to stand in her way. 'This year we have to deliver much better results than last year,' she had written to Dre in a WhatsApp message on Sunday, before schools opened. 'I am ready to support everyone so that we all improve.'
But Bensouda's words were met with skepticism by her teachers. 'Forget about that Dre,' said Mrs. Atika. 'Tuition of any kind, whether holiday, morning, evening or weekend, was banned by the government.' Nzomo supported her, saying that what they needed to do was ensure they completed the syllabus early and used the remaining weeks for serious revision.
As the meeting progressed, Bensouda's frustration grew. She had expected all teachers to be present, but many were late, including Mrs. Atika, who had been breastfeeding. 'You are lucky,' Bensouda said, before going around asking anyone who had arrived late why they had done so.
'We all miss classes yet when I ask us to do remedial classes you start asking for pay and saying that it is illegal,' she said. 'Is it legal to miss classes? Were you still not paid a salary when you missed them?' Her words were laced with anger, and her teachers knew they were in for a long day.
Despite the tension, Bensouda remained resolute. She directed Dre to prepare a new timetable, starting next Monday, which would include her and cover classes from Five to Eight. 'For those of you who think Sossion will help you, I am sorry, he has bigger problems than this,' she said, before ending the meeting.
As the days went by, Bensouda's commitment to her new timetable was evident. She attended two of Dre's lessons during lunchtime, dutifully, and the rest of the staff followed suit. But for those who know Bensouda well, they are sure she will not come to class – even school – this week, and by next week, they will all be back to normal!
