My friend invited me to come for an interview to fill a vacancy in the school where he was teaching. At first, I was skeptical about going for the interview because the vacancy was for a Mathematics teacher.
Though I have a flair for Mathematics, I didn't major in the subject in the University and most schools demand someone that studied Mathematics for such a role. Upon the insistence of my friend who said all the school needed was someone good in Mathematics, I reluctantly printed a copy of my curriculum vitae and went to the school for the first phase of the interview which was a written test.
I wrote the test the same day that I visited the school to submit my CV.
About four weeks later, I was called by the school for the second part of the interview.
On reaching the school, the principal commended me for coming top of the about 10 people invited for the written test. She went straight to discuss salary with me because in their policy, when an applicant scores a certain percentage, the other part of the interview which is microteaching becomes unnecessary. Haven scored above the mark, we were to discuss salary before issuance of appointment letter.
After a little negotiation, the principal said that the highest they could offer me is 80000 Naira. She said she was offering that amount because I wouldn't be a main Mathematics teacher but a support teacher while I stayed in the laboratory to coordinate practicals.
"Laboratory attendants are paid 50000 Naira. We are paying you 80000 Naira because you will be helping to assist mathematics teachers in taking boarding students." The principal explained.
My friend that invited me for the interview initially told me that the least a Mathematics teacher was being paid is 120000 Naira. I took the job because it was better than my previous job.
The unexpected happened when a mathematics teacher was sacked in a situation that I concluded that was pre-planned before my recruitment. I was asked to take up his role immediately. I asked about reviewing my salary because the terms of engagement had changed but to my dismay, the management asked me to either continue the job or resign. I was referred to the appointment that I was issued.
Image is mine.
My position was written as a laboratory attendant/Mathematics teacher. I was disappointed and wanted to resign before my friend pleaded with me to stay put and see what God had in stock for me.
I pushed for a review through the Vice Principal, VP who had more listening ears but he was silenced by the Principal and proprietor. The man sympathized with me and urged me to continue with the job.
A few months later, the VP resigned from the school to face his private investment. I received a call from him a few weeks later asking me to go and write an interview in a University.
"Since the day that school cheated you and refused to listen to my input, I vowed to get a better job for you when the opportunity comes my way. The interview is next tomorrow in Kaduna. I will connect you with my contact. Try and give in your best and the job will be yours if merited." The former Vice Principal assured me.
I took permission from work and went for the interview. I wrote the test and the oral aspect of the interview was conducted.
I was called upon two weeks later to pick the appointment letter. I was very delighted. When I called the former Vice Principal to inform him of the development, he rejoiced with me that my disappointment was a blessing in disguise. I agreed with him because if I had not been cheated the way it happened, he wouldn't have had special interest in my case.
I resumed the University job and I am glad that God made use of some situations to make it a reality.
