Radio season Teachers in Africa

I was not what one would call 'the perfect student' and I often got into trouble.

As part of the Teachers in Africa season members of the BBC African Service tell us about a teacher who had a profound affect on their life.

On three different occasions my teacher asked me the same question, "Do you know what will happen next time"?

"I will suspend you!" he'd warn me and then walk away.

My secondary school headmaster, Mr Shaba was no-nonsense, he was a tough and strict disciplinarian.

All school rules had to be obeyed, and offenders were often severely punished.

I was not what one would call 'the perfect student' and I often got into trouble.

My punishments for commiting various misdemeanours included cleaning, mowing the grass or even digging rubbish pits.

But for some reason, I never got the big one - suspension.

Being suspended or expelled from a government school at the time was something all students feared.

There were few places in government secondary schools, just a handful of good private schools and the alternative secondary education was substandard.

Did you know? 40% of teachers in Mozambique do not have their secondary school certificates UNESCO 2006a

Fortunately, I managed to complete secondary school without receiving that ultimate punishment and nine years later I met Mr Shaba again.

I was working on national radio and Mr Shaba told me that he was proud of me and asked: "Do you know why I never sent you home"?

I said no.

He said I had escaped because he considered me a smart chap and suspending me would just ruin my future.

So, teachers are not just there to teach, huh? Well, thank you Mr Shaba.

Do you have fond memories of a teacher from your formative years? Do you have a favourite teacher, one who really inspired you? Why not tell us about them? Simply send us your memories via the form on the right and we'll publish a selection of your contributions.

More favourite teachers

By Alex Jakana

By Alice Lander

By Freddie Boswell