In my quest to be enlightened I have started an evening study programme at our neighborhood college. I’m now officially a student with an ID to prove it. I’m studying computers. Well, not exactly computers but on how to use some of the software installed on them. I speak in terms now, scientific terms. I’m still in my first package due to personal reasons; my tutor calls them “financial reasons hindering further pedagogical training”. I wonder what software that is from.
I am still in the “Introduction to Computer Terminologies” section and I must say I’m pretty happy with my progress. My tutor had also been very impressed with my progress until our recent fall out for a couple of reasons.
The first reason is the financial one- I did not secure the advertised scholarship after my registration as promised and so was able to pay for only one package. In my hunger to learn more I did start investigations to find out who got the scholarships, but my sources have revealed that there has never been any scholarship on offer in the first place. It was just but a marketing gimmick. They got me on that one. They got others prior to my registration and even right now the hoax is still on going. My tutor was not impressed my research and investigative skills. I think that is why I was not allowed to touch the mouse during my practical on Hardware terms. I had really been looking forward to that. I did touch one at my work place when the boss’s receptionist had gone to the toilet though. It was a lovely experience. I was not scared at all.
The second reason is because of the new student. She just cleared her secondary school education and is waiting for her examination results due in January next year. Her parents have paid for all the packages so she’s in it for the long haul. My tutor has been trying to get her to learn stuff way out of his syllabus but she has been a slow learner being fresh from school and all.
I think he sees me as a threat to his conquest. Last week before the end of my hour- we study per hour- he got all worked up when she came in for some remedial classes and he completely ignored me. My college is not that big, it is just one small room with two computers, my tutor’s and the students. So you see if I was being ignored I would know it. I was asked to sit aside as he grappled with terminologies that I now know but did not not could be used in other contexts.
“You are like upgraded software Shiko, no malware can affect you.” He said to her.
“What do you mean teacher?” she asked.
“What I mean is that if you get the right hardware, which I have, you can make good connections at unlimited super fast indernet speeds.” He explained further.
“What is indernet?” I cut in and asked.
“It’s none of your business right now till you pay for that package!” he retorted.
“I was just asking because…” I started before he cut me short.
“I’m in the middle of a class here, please be silent. No wait, just leave, we’re through for today and come back with your arrears tomorrow!” he shouted at me.
I picked my notebook, stood up in a hurry and left quickly as instructed.
The following day was my day off from work so by 8 O’clock in the morning, I was standing at our college’s entrance anxious to learn some more. By half past 8, my tutor was still nowhere to be seen. At a quarter to 9 Shiko came in for her classes. She was after all a full time student. She was definitely a pretty girl and I could see why my tutor was trying to do more than teach her.
“ ’Mouse’ ajecome bado? She asked me.
“Mouse”? I asked.
“Teacher wa comps,” she said.
“Why do you call him that?” I asked her.
“Si his head looks like a mouse! “ She answered laughing at her own joke.
“Hapana bado ‘ Mouse’ hajecome” I said joining in her laughter and continued, “I think ‘Mouse’ will be late today, he…”
“Who are you calling ‘Mouse’?,” I suddenly heard Mouse shout behind me.
“It’s a friend of…” I tried to explain.
“What friend? And what are you doing here today? I told you no more classes till you clear your arrears.” He roared.
“But I thought that I could…”
“No buts, money first, sawa? He said looking sternly at me before dismissing me with his eyes. He then turned to Shiko and asked her to join him in class.
And that is the other reason why my tutor does not want to see me in his college. So I’m not going to be attending any more classes and I’m sure Mouse would like to keep it that way as he tries to woo Shiko. But I’m about to get paid as the end of month is coming and then I, the ‘Cat’, will be back.
