The Teacher Died: An Overview by Greg Odo
As a script, the work is a voluble creative
evaluation of the author’s society, Sambisa Republic, by looking at his gawky
educational system. Apart from many contending issues in the discourse, the
author’s use of cross-cultural references added to the universal relevance of the
play. A typical science secondary school is established in Sambisa Republic to
foster scientific growth through specialist imparting of empirical knowledge to
students. Things go wrong as both the principal of the school and some of his
unprincipled teachers’ descend on having licentious relationship with the
wayward students. Some other teachers decide to make the difference by refusing
to be engulfed in the vulgar and shame. Those teachers organize students’ debate
thereby making the students to become the mirror in which the society can see
itself.
Mr. Obonogwaogwu, the coordinator
of the students’ debate is at times amazed at the barrage of revelations by his
students during the debate. The first debate on Examination Malpractices gives
the students opportunity to take a good swipe on senior members of the society
with their more damaging malpractices than students’ examination pranks: from
office malpractices to home mismanagement. Ufe, one of the characters in the
play, admits that the loutish system of education will tell on the society in
no distant future. Ufe blames the larger society as a “miserable nation,
digging its grave and writing an elegy for the funeral rites…… “It is not a
secret that students do not prepare for examination anymore. Examination halls
are more chaotic than a stampede in a stadium. A character called Kwakoto in
the play recommends increase in teachers’ remuneration to match their effort in
rearing our young ones. But Lola, another character recounts that salary
increases to police department did not stop them from collecting roja at check points. Lola questions
whether the teachers will not do what the police are doing after salary
increase.
Through the combative cobbler, the
audience confirms that even uneducated citizens in Sambisa do not respect
certificates anymore. Certificates do not equate knowledge or know-how. The
querulous cobbler dismisses certificated graduates as fake people who cannot
write even their own names. Some teachers give lip service to their public
service jobs while dedicating themselves to the temporary but well paid jobs.
The play also highlights the neglect of primary education, healthcare and local
governments in all their ramifications. The shabbiness of the government
secondary schools pushes the teachers at government secondary schools to get
part time jobs in the private sector for enough payment to go to work.
The second debate is on Terrorism:
the use of threat or violence to create fear and alarm for sectional or selfish
gains. Some students, while admitting that many people suffer mayhem and death
at the hand of terrorists, hold some weak sympathy for them. Kuru believes
terrorism can be equated with liberation, like the blowing-up of pipe lines and
other atrocities to achieve quick political settlement.
An example of the cross-cultural
reference is from a character Mrs. Enemona who quotes online news of an 18
years old school leaver in New York. This school leaver sued his high school
because he cannot read or write despite being certified as a high school
graduate. This person realizes that he has become a misfit because he is a
product of examination malpractice which pushes candidates to the next level
even when they fail their examinations. He cannot gain employment under such
circumstance.
The author does not leave out religious
complexities in Sambisa Republic. Through the characters we are shown that some
of valued principles established over the centuries are being eroded in the
name of Christianity fighting tradition. In some societies, adultery simply
does not exist because it has been tabooed. In the name of modernity and
Christianity, people with confused mission have come to encourage promiscuity,
fornication, adultery and other forms of permissiveness. Mrs. Musa therefore
calls on Mr. Obonogwaogwu to join Islam since Christianity has failed. Mr.
Obonogwaogwu however reminds Mrs. Musa reminds that Islam preaches murderous
inclinations and the worship of Moon and Star. Mrs. Musa reminds the Christians
of their own murderous pastor: Eddie Nanogwu, Otokoto, Deriko, Chiejina, Pastor
Kings, Pastor Sharp-sharp. Other religious organizations are mentioned in the
discussion: Eckankar.
School life is further discussed as
the life-style has degenerated to cultism, and homosexuality and lesbianism.
Both Lola and Mma – rapist lesbians believe so much in witch-craft. They
therefore engage in metaphysical cajoling. Mrs. Enuwa tries to take them out of
it. Mma argues that she is born a lesbian and nothing can be done about it.
Mrs. Enuwa tries in vain to talk them out of it. Mrs. Enuwa told her own story
of being a victim of rape by five policemen when her aunt sent her off from her
foster home for resisting her aunt’s husband raping. Mrs. Enuwa tries to separate
Mma from Lola. Girls rape girls and force other girls into lesbian recruitment.
There are rival groups and they cut the breasts of enemy group girls if they
find out they are facing competition. That could happen if the opponent girl is
sleeping with the principal.
In
this, sexual indiscipline is shown as another danger: the spread of H.I.V
Virus. Toro revealed that some female teachers are part of their lesbian cult
and that they pay 5,000.00k per night for a good massage. The chief security officer reports the rampart
sexual abuses by teachers to the principal of the school. The girls inflict the
principal and even the Medical Doctor with the H.I.V virus and have no qualms
about it because they insist somebody else inflicted it on them. This testimony
comes from Erima.
Toro goes to have a baby and sells
it to the motherless babies’ home. She confesses before dying about teachers’
membership of the cult groups. The cobbler releases the information to Mr.
Obonogwagwu as the anti-climax is reached with news of the sacking of the
Education Board Chairman on a number of charges.
In scene five: Pastor Ojudumi delivers
a revelation (message) to Mr. Anabayara in the principal’s office. The pastor
states that an angel of the Lord warns that if Mr. Anabayara does not stop
deflowering girls in his school, he, the principal will die. This revelation
was done in the presence of Sharpsharp. The principal, Mr. Anabayara does not
believe the pastor and tries to dismiss the revelation. Shortly after this
revelation, the principal dies in a collapsed building accident. The underlying
lessons here are that leaders who encourage promiscuous and permissive life are
inviting collapses of their shields. The American online example shows the
collapse of dependence on paper qualification by school leavers. The Sambisa
example shows the physical collapse of structures and the casualties are the
leaders.
Greg Odo,
CSS,
Obimo-Nsukka
2017.
SUMMARY OF ACT II OF “THE TEACHER DIED” BY BRIGHT ISANI
ReplyDeleteThis act revolves around the teachers and the students. It was on the day of moral instruction as the students seat quietly and their teacher Mrs. Enuwa leads them in praises and worship after which she talks to them about “sexual immorality”. She refers them to the Bibles where it was totally condemned. Mrs. Enemona upholds what Mrs. Enuwa says and finally pastor Ojodumi concludes by asking the students to give their lives to Christ.
In another development, outside the school compound in the massif towards Osoma River, the black scorpion (cult group) lost one of their members known as “Red Dragon”. Uwammebi and Ijeuma (nick name) rape Ussila to death. This is because she inflicts them with HIV/AIDS as Kinkie who sees her before she pass on narrates. This made the group angry and due to the fact that most of them have this virus, they plan to inflict all the “Red Dragon Boys” with the virus. Though Kinkie the second in command of the cult group did not agree to this but Usebo insists that the cult must continue to transmit the virus to every man including the principal of the school and other potential victims. They claim that theydid not inflict themselves with the virus and that it is the men folk that inflict them with the bad blood. Izuma one of their members was rape by Lola and Mma (lesbians) This makes the Black Scorpion angry and they threatening to kill the two girls.
Mr. Obonogwaogwu enters the class and ask the students to come out for their presentation. The students have already been grouped into two, group: A and B. The first group speaks on “ Exam malpractice” Kwakato the first speaker of the explains the effect of Exam malpractice and as it has made 21st century students very lazy, she states that before this century, students who were preparing for exams are very serious and it is evident in their attitudes, Ufe highlights the major causes of Exam malpractices and finally, kwakato concludes by given a possible solution to exam malpractice. The second group talk on “Terrorism” Kinkie the first speaker explains terrorism. Kuru state the reasons for terrorism, while Toro explains the history of terrorism and what it has caused to the Sambisa nation. Thus, Kinkie concludes by given a possible solution to terrorism which are re-orentation and creation of employment for the youth.
After the presentation Mr. Obonogwaogwu join other staff as they were discussing on the things that are happening in the world. he interrupts them and chip in the problem he has with his wife and his resolution to divorce her. He states that the wife is cheating on him due to the fact that he no longer provide enough money for the family. This is because of under payment and irregular payment of salaries. Though he is also indulging in an illicit affair with another lady due to his wife’s attitude. Mrs. Musa admonishes that he should go ahead with the divorce so that he will bring his own sister for him to marry, but Mrs. Enemona encourages him to settle with his wife and give her a second chance.
Just as they (Mrs. Musa, Mrs. Enemona and Mr. obonogwaogwu ) were discussing, the principal furiously enters and ask them to come to his office on getting to his office pastor Ojodumi and sharpsharp were already in his office so the teachers join them. Then pastor Ojodum reveals his vision to them “The vision says that the principal should stop deflowering the young girls in his school before he die a shameful death” (p.BI) sharpsharp tries to make the principal believe what the pastor says but the principal (Mr. Anabayara) pays deaf ear to his admonition. Thus, he defiantly flout the advice and the negative consequences ensue thereafter.
by: Onah Maureen Ogechi, Christian Anthonia and Ogbonna Chinagorom I
That is a nice sketch of the teacher died. Keep it up,
ReplyDeleteIn act three of “the teacher died”, the play wright shows the weakness of Christian religion, as faith cannot save anyone in the face of death. He talks about Eckanker as a modern religion that is better than the Christian Religion. Though it has its own begative implications, that is, the problem of Initiations. Next, the religious confusion of whether to depend on the strange religion (the religion he does not know the origin). The play wright through the character of Mr. Umo suggests that African Traditional religion is preferable to other religions because he knows much about it and as well as the origin of deities in his town. IN the same way, the play wright also exposes the immoral and atrocious acts in sambisa Republic such as lesbianism (in the characters of Lola and Nma), political assassination (in the character of Lola’s father who is murdered by political enemies), and rape (in the character of Lola) who is raped by five police officers who were on patrol….. after she is licked out from her auntie’s house that fateful night in which the husband of her auntie tried to have sex (rape) her but her auntie sees her struggling desperately, but the man is cleverly enough to tell his wife that Lola suddenly wakes up from sleep and starts to hold his dick.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the play wright exposes in a light-hearted manner how the government of Sambisa Republic owes the teachers their monthly salaries. and even when the government finally decides to pay the teachers, the government pays the teachers in arrears. This is why Mrs. Enemona tells cobbler that she will pay him for the information when the government pays them November salary by December ending (P.73). this results in the teachers loosing their sense of active service or duty, as Mr. Obonogwaogwo says”, how can I guide somebody who thinks that the teacher does not know anything” (page 75) It is as a result of the inability of the Sambisa Republic to pay their teachers in order to motivate them to discharge their duty effectively but now the case is the reverse.
Moreover, Mr. Obonogwagwu summons his co-teachers to fight for their freedom before the principal who has been ruling and handling the school with an iron hand puts some of them to shame by firing them. In agreement, the teachers state for a day they eill meet to discuss how to avert the eminent shame and disgrace.
nevertheless, the secret –evil acts of the principal are revealed by the students (kwakaoto and wife) to the teachers (Mr. Uno and Mrs. Enuwa). They record the accusation which the students have travelled against the principal as an evidence to fight him (the principal). Kwakaoto tells the teachers that the principal invites her to his office, discharges the teacher who was with him and starts to touch her boss. And she screams and runs away but since then, in a bid to punish her, the principal ordered his nephew who is a teacher in the school to award her grade E in English Language.
Condusively, Erima goes to the hospital for test and later discovers that she is pregnant. The only option which is favourable to her is to abort the child but the doctor refuses to do the abortion unless she have sex with him. In the process of having sex with Erima, the doctor contracts human Immune Virus.
The author has succeeded in exposing the rot in educational sector in Sambisa Republic.
By EZE, ANTHONY IKENNA, FRANCIS OGOCHUKWU A., ODO, IFEBUCHE LINDA and EZEAKOR MOZART CHUKWUDI
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTHE SUMMARY OF THE PLAY “THE TEACHER DIED” ACT ONE BY BRIGHT ISANI
ReplyDeleteThese scenes discuss some critical issues in the play. Economic Recession in Sambisa Republic especially on the side of the teachers is one of the subtopics of each of the scenes in Act One. Economic recession is seen in the play where cobbler raises a discussion about the present hardship in Sambisa Republic. This discussion initially is between cobbler and one of the teachers, Mrs. Enuwa. Mrs. Enuwa is able to educate the cobbler that such hardship that is presently going on in the country is what is generally referred to as Economic Recession. Her explanation yielded little meaning to the cobbler.
The play highlights the nature of cultism in post primary schools in Sambisa Republic. The members of Mabala Daughters are seen having their gathering (cult meeting) in an uncompleted bungalow outside the school premises as they are raising and discussing their agenda one after the other. They plan on how to get the principal to their side by luring him with their member. Because it is no longer a secret that the principal is dating Uffie their member and allies. It gives them the courage to seduce the principal. Also in this act we see how they are planning to get Kwakato to join their cult. This is to be done by enticing her with money since she is very broke and is in need of money to survive.
The play equally shows that some teachers are still devoted to their duties as teachers despite all odds. This is exemplified in the character (Mrs. Enemone). She is diligent to her duty. She is seen in (Pg 25) where she is teaching “Corruption”. She explains the concept of corruption to the students. She makes them to understand the concept of corruption by sighting some examples for them. She also explains that corruption is responsible for myriads of societal problems.
The play reveals also that certain lifestyle not only degenerates to cultism among students and teachers as seen Erima’s testimony. Some teachers even turn into perverts and pay huge sum for sexual gratification as seen in (Pg 28).
Finally all these social vices here are underlying of how leaders who are supposed to kick against evil rather encourage them and at the same time invite collapse of their shield which is the nation or the society at large.
By: OGBU MERCY CHIDIEBERE, EZE BLESSING CHIKADIBIA, ODO PEPERTUAL OLUCHI, OKWOR CALISTER.C., ANINNA PAUL NGOZI AND EZE JULIET UCHENNA
ACT FOUR SUMMARY
ReplyDeleteThe act is about Mr. Anabayara, the principal of St. Onoja Obonyi special science school, he is in his office with the chief security officer, when Mrs. Enemona barges into the office she reports that a student named Kuma Onyeye was raped by eight vigilante men on her way back from night club.
The principal was surprised at this, due to the fact that he once warned that no student should go out once is 5:30pm but Mis Enemona told him that the students bribe the security men, she also suggests that Kuma should be transfer to sick bay where she will be carefully taking care of because the general hospital is occupy with patients, but the security man advice that she should not be transfer for security purposes.
Before the arrival of Mrs. Enemona, Chief security officer was already there to lay a complain that some members of staff were caught having sexual intercourse with syudents, some one like Mr. Umo who was caught with Kinkie, Kuma Onyeije with Mr. Sharpsharp and the principal and others.
The principal, later calls for a meeting in queen Amina auditorium, he announces the ongoing in the school about sexual harassment between the members of staff and the students. He later suspend the Doctor and Erima ode of the students. At the announces of the suspension made by the principal the entire members started murmuring, making arguments as they feel the principal has not perveled justice, because they know he is involved in the act and he could have done justice to everyone.
For the fact that the principal suspend doctor and also Erima one of the cultist, the two cults black scorpion and membala decides to fight Mr. Anabaraya together.
Mr. Obonogwogwu, Mrs. Enuwa and Mrs Enemona went to report Mr. Anabaraya to Mr. Ijedinukwu, the C.S.P of STVSMB who is in his officer soliloquizing about the brethren that calls themselves Christian, when the members of staff came in, they reported Mr. Anabaraya who has been involving in sexual intercourse with the students. Mr. ijedinukwu promise to carry out justice on the case.
Mrs. Enemona was also in her office Soliloquizing, how Christian brethren that are evil but hide under the umbrella of Christianity and penetrate evil, she decided to withdraw from Christianity. Mr. Obonogwogwu came in and advice her not to renounce her faith as he sees zoroastrialism as a cult not religion.
BY: Eze Michael Obinna, Attah Ijeoma, Ogala Juliet A, Aba Laretta, Agbo MaryJane C and
Ugwu Evelyn F.
THE SUMMARY OF THE TEACHER DIED (GROUP E)
ReplyDeleteThis is all about the students and the principal of St Onoja Obanyi Special Science School (page 101-102), where two students who are Usebo and mala reports their principal (Mr. Anabayara ) cruel act and his fraudulent conduct in the school in order to execute his evil deeds, but Mr. Ijedinukwu, the educational officer did not find any evidence for their accusation, and they were dismiss from his office. Not long as they leave the educational office, Usebo tries to kill Mala in order to revenge the death of his member of his member of black Scorpion ( page 35-39 ) .
Furthermore, when Toro is taking to hospital by the help of her friend kinky and kuma (page 105-107 ) the nurse lye examines Toro and asks them to transfer her to the Specialist hospital with the help of the school ambulance, she also help them to call the ambulance man in order to convey her to the Specialist hospital, but before the school ambulance arrives Toro give up to the ghost
However, in cobbler’s shop, Mr. Obonogwaogwu and Mrs. Enuwa are listening to cobbler’s story when he announces the death of Toro to them, and other two teachers that are expecting their own death (page 108-110). Mrs Enuwa speaks further, she tells Mr Obonogwaogwu that the governor has sack the board chairman out of his office and he is being replaced with Mr. Nwatuegwu Yagazie (page111).
In addition, the setting revolves round Mr Yagazie’s office, he is in his office going through some files when Mr Obonogwaogwu and Mrs. Enuwa the teacher at St Onoja Obanyi Special Science School goes to his office to congratulate him for his new appointment (page 116-117). They also reminds him of the petitions they have written to the formal board chairman against Mr. Anabayara their principal. They also plead that he have to let justice take it’s due course, and he assures them that he will work towards it.
In spite of what happen, the new principal (Mr. Good) announces that he is their principal, and he goes further to announce the death of Mr Anabayara the formal principal, the students is jubilating for their school transformation (page 119-120).
BY :Ezenma patience Odinaka, Omeye Loveth Chinenye
The summary of act five down to the last scene of the play titled “The teacher died”
ReplyDeleteThe setting is at Mr. Ijedinukwu’s office at 331 prince Asakura street, Iyale. Two young girls namely Usebo and mala visit Mr. Ijedinukwu on the Crisis and the misfortune that is happening in their school known as St. Obonyi Special Science school. Usebo and Mala narrates the evil acts of the principal known as Mr. Anabayara on the sexual harassment and abuse on the students, such in (page 101), the case of rape of a twelve years old girl and the baby girl that was given birth by Mala with concrete evidence unfortunately, the mood changed when Usebo book revenge on Mala but she fails.
The setting here is situated in the sickbay where Nurse iye is praying to God to grant her heart desires. Shortly in (page 104) Kinkie and kuma suddenly rush Toro to the sickbay where she made some confession (Toro) about her evil acts. The nurse Iye tried her possible best but to no avail but before she could be rushed to another hospital she died.
The setting was seen at cobbler’s new shop where Mr. Obonogwagwu visited cobbler for information, (page 109). Cobbler told Mr. obonogwagwu about the death of Toro and the prophecy of a pastor (security officer) about the death of the principal (Mr. Anabayara) and two teachers. Mrs Enuwa told them (in page 111) about the good news, that Mr. Ijedinukwu was removed and other officials about the embezzlement of public fund and injustice.
The setting is at the board charman office known as Mr. Yagazie. A simple and kind heart man it was at this juncture (in page 115) that Mr. Obonogwaogwu and Mrs Enuwa visited Mr. Yagazie to look upon the petition they have sent earlier before now, in other to bring unity and abolish the shame caused by the corrupt people in the school. Mr. Yagazie promised to look-upon the incident with immediate feedback.
The setting is at the assembly ground, Students crowded the vicinity, shortly after the sambisa national Anthem. (in page 119) Mr. Good narrates the good news and bad news to the students, first is that he is now the new principal of the school, secondly, is the untimely death of Mr. Anabaraya at a shopping mall and peace restored.
Conclusion: The writer made use of flashback to define the term of the play titled “the teacher died” The title does not imply that a teacher died but it can be traceable on the atrocities committed by the teacher and the principal, thereby damaging or jeopardizing the beauty of the school and the society as a whole.
by: EKE JOHNPAUL S., DINE SABINA, ASOGWA CHINYERE V., UGWUANYI EZINNE
Thank you very much the final year students of department of English 2019/2020 set, the College of Education, Nsukka, Enugu state for this wonderful analysis.
Delete