When pupils return to school after the long holiday, most expect the usual mix of new timetables, crisp uniforms and fresh exercise books. But for teachers and school owners, resumption often comes with drama that no lesson plan can prepare them for.
This week, award-winning Nigerian teacher Olasunkanmi Opeifa took to social media to share some of the most bizarre resumption stories he has encountered in his years in the classroom. His post struck a chord, sparking laughter, disbelief and a little sympathy across the education community.
A Collective Walkout
In one instance, teachers and even cleaners staged a mass resignation. Instead of a pile of lesson notes, the school management was greeted with a single resignation letter signed by everyone. A collective exit that left the head in shock.
Health Bills Paid, Job Abandoned
Another case saw a school rally round to pay a teacher’s hospital bills during the break. The gratitude did not last long. By the first day of term, the teacher—recovered and refreshed—resigned without hesitation.
The Induction Vanishing Act
There was also the story of a teacher who, on the very day of his induction at a new job, quietly slipped out of school and never returned. According to Opeifa, “perhaps they are still waiting for him in the staffroom.”
Salary First, Goodbye After
In a different school, the proprietor introduced a strict policy: no August salary until all staff resume. Staff complied—at least on paper. They pretended to return, collected their salaries, and promptly disappeared.
Best Teacher, Then Best Exit
In what reads like a tragicomedy, one teacher delayed her resignation until Teachers’ Day. She graciously accepted the Best Teacher Award from her school—before handing in her resignation just an hour later.
Fired for Refusing Food
Resumption has also been the stage for petty disputes. One teacher lost her job simply because she refused to eat the food served at the end-of-term party. By the first day of term, her services were no longer required.
A School Sold Overnight
And perhaps the most extraordinary tale of all: a school that was quietly sold during the holiday. Teachers only learnt about the change through rumours. Parents and pupils who returned expecting familiar faces were stunned to find themselves in an entirely new institution.
Opeifa’s Reflection
Opeifa summed it up succinctly:
“Resumption isn’t just back to school; it’s back to drama. You think you’ve heard it all… until you hear these.”
About Olasunkanmi Opeifa
Opeifa is not just any teacher. A finalist for the 2020 Global Teacher Prize and winner of the 2018 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award, he has become known for his innovative methods—using rap, dance and digital tools to engage learners in under-resourced schools. His social media reflections often blend humour with insight, highlighting the realities of education in Nigeria. He is also the brains behind phenomenon edu a gathering of teachers across Nigeria.
The Bigger Picture
While his tales are entertaining, they also underscore the fragility of school systems and the hidden struggles of teachers. For many, resumption day is not merely the start of another academic session—it is a turning point, sometimes even an escape hatch.
In classrooms across Nigeria, September may mark a return to routine. But as Opeifa’s stories remind us, behind every register call lies the possibility of a drama worthy of the stage.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
