The Last Day of School

For most schools, especially basic and junior high, this day marks the end of another term and in some cases, another year. The joy of moving up the educational ladder is enough to fill the bellies of students and children alike but that is not what we look forward to on the last day of school. The Last Day of school for us is when we change our attire; when we ditch the uniforms and go rogue; wear what we want to. It is the one day we actually get to choose what we want to wear and how we choose to appear, the one day we are ‘unprescribed’.

For most of us, our day was a day we all looked forward to; well, that’s aside the completion of exams. We would count the days to the end of the term and start planning ‘Our Day’. So thinking back on the name, one can say it is not far-fetched, after all, it is OUR DAY. The day belongs to the students; from choosing what to wear to bringing your own food and even sometimes, choosing the song (especially if you have a really entertaining DJ). The excitement begins mostly on Wednesday night when parents especially mothers start prepping for the big day. There is something about the ‘Our Day’ food, it never tastes like mummy’s regular Jollof or fried rice or banku or whatever you request on that day. Actually, it is thrilling when mummy or daddy asks what we want for ‘Our Day’; what food do you want to take to ‘Our Day’ as opposed to, taking food to school without being asked if that was your choice. Oh how ‘Our Day’ felt so good back in the day. If you can relate, then you’re probably too ripe to still be on the tree; you should be married by now with kids but that’s not the point...lol

Now that food is sorted, let’s talk about clothes and shoes. It’s the only day you pick what you want to wear and not what mummy lays out for you, it has to be good and has to make a statement. If you’re also not thinking about getting a new dress, then you must have a dress that fits the occasion. Isn’t it funny how everyone looks closely at you; almost like checking to see if you met the mark; like we only do this once every term y’all. Then it’s down to shoes; like people.....the shoes are everything o, they have to pap. If you have ‘kronkyia’, you must wear those else you didn’t really come for ‘Our Day’. Talking about all this just makes me miss the good old days, who asked us to grow up? We could have stayed young but alas, we had to grow so others could fill the spot we had left vacant, and for us to do the same. Dress, check! Shoes, check! Food, check! Now, it’s down to walking through the neighborhood with your ‘our day’ shoe and ‘our day’ dress and ‘our day’ food. The neighbors would somehow stand guard, waiting for you to pass because they know it’s ‘Our Day’ and you will definitely be looking ‘peng’ and ‘cool’. But hold up, let’s talk about ‘Our DAY’ baskets; My God. There were baskets we only used on special occasions, like bowls we only brought down for visitors; the ‘Our Day’ was really true. You chose everything on that day, everything was about you on that day and your parents made sure you felt that way; from listening to your suggestion about food, to what you wanted to wear.

The famous ‘Our Day’ baskets; contents mostly food and drinks and snacks; oh and the extra food for your favorite teacher or teachers. The large baskets weighed on us but we didn’t mind, we were too excited to think about burdens and pain, it was ‘Our Day’ after all. Carrying the baskets to school was fun and great and once you arrive, your teacher takes the baskets and keeps them in a safe place, somewhere in the corner. You entrust them with your food and snacks and go meet your friends who will probably be on the dance floor. You dance, play around and mingle; the dance floor was another thing to look forward to. The highlight? Seeing all students, regardless of class and age, get their groove on; no questions asked. It wasn’t the usual queuing according to your class and marching away, everyone to their respective classes, and only meeting again after school is over for the day. You got to see your seniors and play with them, those that didn’t mind and actually wanted to just have fun with you. Oh, the happy faces and the smiles beaming from the dance floor are enough to melt the ice on the North Pole (if that isn’t an exaggeration). There was just genuine excitement, happiness, and joy that characterized the day.

Then when the clock strikes midday, the dance floor is closed temporarily for students to head into their classrooms and enjoy their meals; with their friends and teachers. Seeing how everyone gathers; eating, laughing, and enjoying good company is enough excitement to last us through the vacation till we show up for the next term or academic year. For those whose parents tried but still could not afford all they wanted, teachers make sure they too feel the love and excitement. They will go round with spoons, take a little from this person till they have enough to serve the other children. Kudos to all our class teachers who made sure we were never sad on the one day we had to be very happy. Food may be finished but the party still goes on, back to the dance floor. The party goes on till we feel drained and famished, then we come to snacks and every other thing we brought to munch on as we continue chilling. ‘Our Day’ is irreplaceable, no other event comes close to this; graduations and Christmas parties are okay but cannot be compared to this.

With the excitement and happiness going around on ‘Our Day’, it’s a wonder time refuses to stand still. This is the one day we do not want to end, the one day we just want to enjoy good company, good music, good food, and good vibes. If we are being honest, the end of the day means the excitement either still continues for you or your mood changes when you are handed your terminal report. You have your heart in your hand when you see that brown envelope addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Ofori; not to be opened by Jerry. The restriction alone is enough to kill the vim but we still move, hard girl and hard boy vibes. After all, what can come can come; one thing is of importance to us, we must enjoy the Day because we do not know what’s in the report; whether we passed or failed, and whether we will receive lashes or not. If suspense could kill, well, don’t need to say much here but the few who gathered the courage to actually open their reports knew their fate before heading home, and for those who would rather give the envelope to mummy or daddy, our fate was already sealed (literally and figuratively).

The day ends but we carry the memories with us till the next 'Our day', where we get to do it all again. When we get to make choices, be our own people and take our lives into our own hands, well, it's only just our happiness we control on that day though. For those whose reports actually shine with good grades and excellent remarks, the excitement never ends. Parents do not stop singing their praise to siblings, neighbors, children and practically, everyone they meet, especially those who know the child/children. Woe to the one who makes poor grades and only gets comments like 'likes talking' or 'can do better next term'. The next term seems like too long a time, to actually redeem ourselves and take our names from every family conversation or moment of advice and counseling. Don't be like your brother who only got bad remarks and did not do well this term, be like your sister who made us proud. All in all, the experience cannot be explained to you, it can only be experienced by you. Next time you get the chance to enjoy 'Our Day', I hope you take it very 'personal' and 'shada' for the whole Africa; wear your best dress, select your favorite shoes and choose a food mummy will wow you with.