The fire on the mountain has moved to our pockets - It has to be put out

“This is exploitation! It's not like we're going to have these masks for ourselves after the practical. It would be donated to the department, and we would be required to create another mask if we need it in the future.”

I was literally raving. The young lady seated next to me motioned that I should be quiet as the lecturer was walking in my direction with a stern look on his face as if he heard what I was saying.

“Whoever is not comfortable with the rules of this practical can return to do the course next year. Have a good day”.

The class became rowdy instantly, rains of curses fell as he walked out, causing me to be angrier than I had been in a long time. As if that was not enough, another lecturer announced through the course representative that we would be paying for a projector to be rented during the seminar presentation he had set up for our class in three weeks.

“Excuse me Mr. Governor, I need to have a word with you”

My best friend Treasure was not in school that day, else she would have dragged me by the shirt and said,
“You are not the one to correct the educational system in Nigeria, give yourself rest before you land into trouble.”

The young man who served as the governor of my class turned around to grant me an audience.
“Please, I want to find out if you're okay with all of the money we've been asked to pay this semester.”

I could see the grimace he tried to hide even as he scratched his head and rubbed his beard.

“Treasure, we're working on it, I assure you.”

“Work on it o,” I said pulling my ears for emphasis. He laughed; a bit relieved when I didn't push the case further.

I had become a little relaxed since the governor had said he was going to do something about it but to my utmost dismay a week later, the lecturer walked into the class and said he was going to have the practical with the 16 members of the class who had paid for the mask practical. I walked up to the class governor after the class.

“What's going on Mr. Governor?” He could see I was extremely displeased, so he went straight to the point.
“Treasure, you know these lecturers are doing these things for our good…”
I threw my head back and allowed some of the fury I was feeling to come out as laughter.

“Really? Have you paid for the practical, I didn't hear your name on the list.” He shook his head, some sort of sad expression on his face.

“Why do you all like to stroll around when there is fire in your pockets? You clearly cannot afford this money within the time frame this lecturer has set, the same goes for almost the entire class and you think it's okay to sit back and do nothing?...”

Someone seated close to the governor was going to interrupt me, but I held out a palm to him and he went silent as if on automation.

“You know what? Why don't we go to see the lecturer together?” My class governor suggested.

“With pleasure,” I said drawing up a fake smile.

At the point where the lecturer said he was going to have the practical with some selected students, I felt the fire on the mountain had moved to our pockets. The good news is, people had begun to run, not away like cowards, but to put this fire out.