As Biodun transitioned to Sunshine International, a prestigious school aimed at providing a higher standard of education, his mother made the decision to keep his academic struggles private by changing his school. Meanwhile, Richard found himself remaining in Primary 4 while his peers moved on to Primary 5, a decision that puzzled him but was ultimately accepted. However, Biodun's departure from their shared school didn't mark the end of their interactions. In a twist of fate, Biodun began taking credit for Richard's sketches, presenting them to his new friends as his own creations. Despite Richard's reluctance to draw at school due to his mother's admonition, Biodun persisted, offering payment for Richard's talents and claiming the sketches as his own.
As Richard's friends eagerly anticipated their transition to secondary school and prepared for the Common Entrance Examination, Mr. and Mrs. Oladapo began to reassess their son's educational journey. Recognizing Richard's exceptional intellect and potential, they resolved to take action, Mrs. Oladapo urged her husband to visit Richard's school and advocate for their son's academic advancement. The prospect of Richard attending secondary school alongside his friends filled Mr. and Mrs. Oladapo with hope and determination, as they sought to ensure that their son's talents and abilities were recognized and nurtured. With their support and advocacy, Richard's journey towards academic success and fulfillment was set to take a promising turn.
As Richard and his father arrived at the school, they encountered the bustling atmosphere of the assembly ground, where Janet was leading the chorus song with the school's drummer band. Despite being slightly late, Mr. Oladapo took the initiative to explain the delay to Master Eddy, the school's disciplinarian, who graciously accepted the explanation. Apologizing for the tardiness, Mr. Oladapo assured Master Eddy that it wouldn't be a recurring occurrence. With a sense of urgency, Richard quickly stashed his schoolbag and hurried to join his classmates on the assembly ground, eager to participate in the morning rituals. Meanwhile, Mr. Oladapo made his way to the principal's office, greeted by the nods and smiles of the school staff along the way. Upon entering the office, he exchanged pleasantries with the principal before delving into the purpose of his visit.
Explaining their desire to register Richard for the upcoming Common Entrance Examination alongside the Primary 5 students, Mr. Oladapo conveyed the family's wish for Richard to continue his education without delay. However, the principal interjected, suggesting that Richard was already a step closer to sitting for the examination in Primary 4. Undeterred, Mr. Oladapo candidly revealed the decision to hold Richard back, attributing it to his wife's insistence rather than their own preference. With his parental concern and determination to advocate for Richard's academic progression, Mr. Oladapo awaited the principal's response, hopeful for a favorable outcome that would align with their aspirations for their son's future. As Richard and his friends made their way home, they indulged in a culinary adventure, stopping at various vendors along the way. From purchasing fried fish from a street vendor to picking up chilled sachet water and groundnuts, Richard ensured that everyone, including his younger sisters, was included in the treats.
Upon arriving home, Richard wasted no time in setting up a communal feast, filling bowls with garri and distributing spoons for everyone to enjoy. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and camaraderie as they dined together, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company. As the clock struck 3 PM, signaling the start of Richard's extra coaching session, Mrs. Bakare, their dedicated tutor, made her timely arrival. Meanwhile, Richard's friends, Bolu, Ife, Steve, and Juwon, gathered eagerly, ready to commence their lessons alongside him. However, there was one notable absence—Biodun, whose mother had deliberately kept him secluded from the group. Despite this, the lesson pressed on, with Mrs. Bakare and Richard's mother seizing the opportunity to discuss important matters related to Richard's education.
With determination and support from his family and friends, Richard embarked on his coaching session, eager to enhance his knowledge and skills. As the lesson began, the air was filled with anticipation and eagerness, setting the stage for a productive and enriching learning experience. As Mrs. Bakare and Mrs. Oladapo conversed about Richard's education, Richard respectfully attended to his mother's request, ensuring her luggage was safely brought inside. Mrs. Oladapo expressed her desire for Richard to excel in the upcoming examination and sought Mrs. Bakare's assistance in nurturing his abilities to their fullest potential.
Mrs. Bakare reassured Mrs. Oladapo that there would be no trouble and agreed to provide Richard with the necessary guidance and resources. She emphasized the importance of focusing on Richard's future and urged him to channel his energy into more productive pursuits. With a stern warning against returning to his habit of drawing, Mrs. Bakare made it clear that there would be consequences if Richard strayed from his studies. As Mrs. Bakare assigned tasks to the students, Mrs. Oladapo departed to purchase the required textbooks for Richard's preparation. With the support of his dedicated tutor and his mother's commitment to his education, Richard embarked on his journey towards academic success, determined to heed their guidance and achieve his goals.
As Mr. Oladapo arrived home, the excited voices of his daughters filled the air, announcing his presence and bringing a smile to his face. Mrs. Oladapo, in the midst of her dinner preparations, paused her tasks to warmly welcome her husband and seek feedback from Richard's school. After exchanging pleasantries, Mrs. Oladapo informed her husband about securing the necessary textbooks for Richard's preparation for the Common Entrance Examination. She explained that their son's coaching teacher had emphasized the urgency of obtaining the textbooks to ensure he was adequately prepared.
However, he relayed the school's response regarding Richard's potential participation in the examination, expressing their recommendation to wait until he reaches Primary 5. As a teacher herself, employed at a government-established school called Community High School, located quite a distance from their home, Mrs. Oladapo was familiar with navigating educational matters. She acknowledged the school's stance on the examination but hinted at the possibility of enlisting support from her workplace to facilitate Richard's registration.
Mr. Oladapo listened attentively to his wife's assessment of the situation, expressing his agreement and understanding. With a nod of assurance, he continued with his evening routine, retreating to a quiet corner with his newspaper in hand. As Mrs. Oladapo returned to the kitchen to resume her tasks, her mind already strategizing on how to navigate the situation at her workplace to ensure the best outcome for Richard's education. With the unwavering support and collaboration of both parents, Richard's path towards academic success seemed clearer than ever. Richard's dedication to his studies was unwavering as he diligently tackled the numerous assignments given by his lesson teacher. With a determined focus, he refrained from indulging in his passion for drawing and instead channeled all his energy into his academic pursuits.
Both at home and at school, Richard faced a rigorous schedule of tasks and exercises, leaving little time for leisure or play. Despite his responsibilities, he managed to adopt techniques that helped him maintain concentration and stay focused solely on his studies. His commitment bore fruit as he began to excel academically, earning recognition as a smart and exceptional student among his peers. His classmates and teachers alike admired his dedication and the remarkable progress he made in his studies. As the second term examination loomed closer, Richard and his friends approached the upcoming tests with confidence, thanks in part to the rigorous preparation provided by Mrs. Bakare during their extra coaching sessions. With Mrs. Bakare's guidance and the collective efforts of Richard and his friends, they faced the impending exams with determination and readiness, knowing that they were well-prepared to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.
As the first day of examinations unfolded, Richard and his classmates found themselves immersed in a mix of studying, playing, and nervous anticipation. While some students were engaged in last-minute revision sessions, others grumbled about the burden of studying and expressed their disdain for academic pursuits. Amidst the varied activities, Richard remained focused on his studies, diligently revising key concepts and topics. His dedication didn't go unnoticed as classmates gathered around him, seeking clarification on challenging subjects. Richard patiently explained complex ideas, helping his peers grasp difficult concepts before the exams began. However, the atmosphere shifted when Master Charles, the invigilator, entered the room with a stern warning against any form of exam malpractice. His announcement of strict consequences for cheating cast a pall over the room, prompting students to quickly settle into silence and obedience.
As the exams progressed, Richard found himself completing his papers with time to spare, a testament to his thorough preparation and understanding of the material. Despite the varying opinions on the difficulty of the exam questions, Richard's confidence remained steadfast, a reflection of his disciplined approach to studying and his trust in his own abilities. After the last day of exams, Richard and his classmates found relief in the completion of their tests, indulging in playful banter and jesting about their strict invigilator, Master Charles. They reveled in the sense of freedom from academic pressure, celebrating the end of exams with a game of football, a departure from Richard's usual pastime of drawing. As the new week commenced, the school headmaster addressed the students during assembly, commending them for their efforts in the recent exams and reminding those with outstanding tuition fees to settle their levy promptly.
He emphasized the importance of parental involvement in reviewing the upcoming exam results and distributing report cards. With a stern warning against any disobedience, the headmaster ensured that the students understood the consequences of failing to comply with his directives. The students responded affirmatively, acknowledging their understanding and commitment to follow through with the instructions. With the assembly concluded, the students dispersed to their respective classes, eager to await the release of their exam results and report cards later in the week.
Richard's exceptional performance in the last examination brought joy to his parents, prompting them to express their gratitude to Mrs. Bakare for her role in his academic success. Richard's mother, particularly appreciative of the teacher's efforts, suggested giving her a tangible token of appreciation to convey their gratitude. As the evening progressed, Mrs. Oladapo shared her thoughts with her husband, expressing her desire to register Richard for a mock examination at her workplace. Mr. Oladapo, supportive of his son's academic advancement, readily agreed to accompany his wife to ensure Richard's participation. After their discussion, Mr. Oladapo retired to bed, while Mrs. Oladapo remained behind to complete her lesson notes. The following day, as Richard and his mother fetch water together, Mrs. Oladapo informed Richard that he would no longer be attending his current school starting from the following day. Instead, he would accompany her to her workplace, marking the beginning of a new educational journey for him.