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I was on my way to cut my hair when I received a call from Abdul, my former colleague.

"There is a vacancy for a Mathematics teacher in my school. I want you to come and apply. People have been coming to write the aptitude test but no one is hired yet. I want you to come and write the test. He said to me after we exchanged pleasantries."
 
"You know that I don't have an education qualification. Do you think I have a chance?"

"No harm in trying. Be optimistic. Please come and write the test. Print a copy of your curriculum vitae, CV while coming." He concluded. 

I was skeptical about going for the test because my lack of qualification in education had previously denied me many opportunities. 

There was a time that I went for an interview for the same Mathematics teacher position. After passing the writing test with commendable performance, I was disqualified during the oral interview when they realized that I am an Engineer who had no prior training in education. I was told to get a post graduate diploma in education if I wanted to switch from engineering to teaching. I pleaded with them to give me the job while I enroll for the diploma to no avail.

This experience made me skeptical in honoring the invitation by my Abdul. 

I went to bed that night with a divided mind. In the morning of the following day, my friend's call woke me.

"I believe you have printed a copy of your CV. Please dress smart and be here before 9 am. Once you are at the gate, call me."

Contrary to his expectation, I haven't printed the CV. The part of me encouraging me not to go and waste my time was winning.

After his call, I sat for a few minutes, thinking of the decision to make. I concluded that there was no harm in trying. 

I got up to prepare for the interview. By 8 am, I was out of my house, walking to the roadside to take a taxi. That was when I remembered that I needed to print my CV. I rushed to a cyber cafe adjacent to the junction to get the CV printed. Before the shops could open for business and print the document for me, it was already 9 am. I collected the CV and I took a taxi to the school. I got to the school at about 10 am.

I stood a few meters away from the school and called my Abdul. While waiting for him, my eyes were scanning through the exterior design of the school. The building was magnificent with the compound adorned with beautiful and well-trimmed flowers. 

"I love to work here." I concluded in my mind after a few minutes of admiration.
 
Abdul came outside and picked me and he directed me to the venue of the test. As I was walking to the venue, I missed my steps many times. The aesthetic design of the building was breathtaking. The green area that breathes life into the surroundings, the fleet of cars in the car lots showing that the school is in a unique class. I love the school. 

By the time I entered the boardroom of the school where the test was to take place, the qualities of the interior were alluring and impressive.
 
I met about five people already seated and waiting for the questions. I joined them and a few minutes later, a young man brought the questions. We started the test immediately. No one was there to supervise and I initially wondered why they were so confident in the applicants doing the proper thing in the absence of supervision. Shortly after then, I saw about two CCTV cameras strategically stationed in the room. 

After the test, we were told that they would call us if and when necessary.

About a month later, I called my friend to ask him of any development of which he replied to me in the negative. At that point, I gave up on any expectation from the school.

In another two weeks, I received a call from the school and I was asked to come. I went to the school immediately to meet the Vice Principal.

"We would have loved to hire you but you don't have any educational qualifications."
 
"I missed this again." I lost weight instantly on my seat.
 
"Though you did well in the test, the government supervisory agency would complain." She insisted. 

I left the school like a hen drenched in rain. I was in the taxi going back home when my phone rang. I checked the phone and realized that the vice principal was the one calling. 

"Why is she calling me?" My mind was divided on picking the call. She called the second time before I picked.
 
"The proprietor of the school wants to see you. Come back if you need the job."
 
"Finally, I got the call!!!" I screamed. I immediately stopped the taxi and alighted. I crossed to the other lane of the expressway and took another taxi back to the school. The joy in my heart as I was going back knew no bounds. Till this moment, the happiness that accompanied that call remains the greatest.

"You performed so well that we can't afford to let you go. I will hire you but put in effort to enroll for a diploma in education so that you have the rudiments of teaching methods."
 
I accepted the offer and resumed two months later. That work opened me up to different opportunities, one of which is where I am now.</div>