My pupil lied to me
CHILDREN lie for a reason.
I am a grade one teacher for almost nine years now. As I review my records and evaluate the test results of my pupils for the first grading, my former pupil suddenly flashed back. I’ll just call him by the name “Igoy.”
Igoy is a typical seven-year-old boy. He walks one kilometer every day to school. He was seldom absent in class but most of the time, late in school. I always reminded him to be early and not to play on his way so that he can join the flag ceremony.
What really bothered me about this boy is the lack of support from his parents. Sometimes he enters the class without pencil, paper or crayons, and worst; he has no baon (packed meal) for lunch. According to him, he can just go to their relatives living nearby the school and have lunch there.
Releasing of cards for the first quarter came. Igoy’s parents did not come. I checked the attendance of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) general and homeroom meeting we had and found out that they did not attend. I interrogated the boy about this matter. He said that his father is busy at the mines “aggilgiling da ti naba,” (grinding some ore) while his mother is busy nursing his sick baby sister. I told Igoy that if his parents will not come, I’ll be the one to visit their home. Two days passed and nobody came so I scolded Igoy. Unexpectedly, on the third day, one hour after dismissal, Igoy returned to our classroom together with an elderly woman. He introduced the old woman as his Lola Isay (Grandma Isay).
“Anti, apay nga dakayo ti inmay? Ni daddy wenno mama na ngay?” I immediately asked my visitor (Ma’am, why did you come here instead of his parents?). Lola Isay smiled and started to relay Igoy’s life. I cannot stop my tears rolling after hearing Lola Isay’s story about her apo (grandson).
Igoy’s parents separated when he was still five. Igoy’s father took him because his mother went with another guy. A year later, his father lived with another woman and decided to settle in the city. Igoy was then left to Lola Isay, mother of Igoy’s father.
Lola Isay even told me that she was not informed about the first meetings we had because Igoy did not give the letter to her. According to her, Igoy doesn’t like her to take the long pathway going up the school because she’s already old ken nakubbo (and she’s huckle-backed).
The revelation of Igoy’s life struck my heart. Yes! My pupil lied to me but I’m not angry with him. Instead, I admire him for his love to his family. I know, he is in deep pain and sorrow but despite those struggles in his young life, he remains to be calm and strong; going to school every day and striving his best to learn.
One time, I asked my pupils about their ambitions in life. Igoy stood with confidence and said, “Kayat ko ang agbalin nga principal daytoy nga eskwelaan.” (I want to become a principal of this school someday) I just smiled because I know deep in my heart, he can reach his ambition because of his strong determination.
Igoy is in grade two now, but he frequently visits my classroom giving me that sweet innocent smile.