Africa
School Is Not Just The Same For Everyone -By Oluwatosin Omotoso Anthonia
Yet, beyond the struggles, school is also about friendship and connection. Bonds are formed that sometimes last a lifetime. Laughter in the corridors, moments of discovery, and shared experiences become memories woven into who we are. For some, it’s where career paths are discovered, passions are awakened, and dreams take shape.
Different Meanings for Different People
When you ask twenty different people what school means to them, you’ll likely hear twenty different answers. The question “What does school mean?” has endless responses, each shaped by a person’s life, background, and experiences.
For some, school is a place of endless possibilities a gate that opens to a better life, a path that leads toward dreams once thought far away. For others, it’s a daily struggle, filled with pressure, fear of failure, or silence. The meaning of school often goes far beyond books and exams. It reaches into something deeper our identity, struggles, memories, and hopes.
A Road to Freedom
A young person in a village may see school as the only road to freedom. Every lesson becomes a stepping stone toward a future they’ve long imagined. They will do whatever it takes to pass their exams, because success in school feels like the key to unlocking that freedom.
When School Becomes a Struggle
For someone constantly flogged by teachers or bullied by classmates, school can feel less like a blessing and more like a burden. This student may rarely raise their hand or contribute in class, choosing instead to shrink quietly into the background. It’s not that they lack intelligence it’s that their experience of school has hidden it. For them, school is struggle.
The Teacher’s Calling
To teachers who dedicate themselves to shaping young minds, school is where purpose meets passion. They find joy in watching students grow sometimes slowly, sometimes suddenly into better versions of themselves. They invest energy, time, and heart into planting seeds they hope will one day bloom. For these teachers, school is not just work; it’s a calling.
For Those Who Never Had the Chance
There are also those who never had the chance to attend school, often due to poverty or other circumstances. For them, the yearning to walk that path remains a silent ache. They carry a dream they could never chase a longing that never fades.
More Than Lessons and Exams
Yet, beyond the struggles, school is also about friendship and connection. Bonds are formed that sometimes last a lifetime. Laughter in the corridors, moments of discovery, and shared experiences become memories woven into who we are. For some, it’s where career paths are discovered, passions are awakened, and dreams take shape.
A Lasting Impact
So, what does school mean?
It is different for everyone. For some, it’s survival. For others, it’s a stepping stone to greatness. For many, it’s a mix of both. But one thing is certain school shapes us in ways we can never forget.
