The Life Changer, written by Khadija Abubakar Jalli, is a thought-provoking novel that explores the challenges faced by Salma, a young university student.
In Chapter Six of the novel, titled “JAMB Novel 2023,” Salma’s last paper of the semester, Moral Philosophy, becomes the turning point in her academic journey. Let’s delve into the events that unfolded during this fateful exam.
- Salma’s Last Paper: Salma, a final-year student, was about to take her last paper of the semester. The course she was about to sit for was Moral Philosophy, a subject that held considerable importance for her academic progress.
- The Concept of Student Magic: The novel introduces us to the concept of “student magic,” a secret technique employed by students to communicate during exams without moving their lips. This clandestine method is often used to share information or seek help discreetly.
- The Perceived Ease of Moral Philosophy: Moral Philosophy was considered an easy exam because its content consisted of topics that were commonly taught at religious centers since childhood. The familiarity with these concepts led many students to believe that the exam would be a breeze.
- Salma’s Struggle with Moral Philosophy: Unfortunately, Salma found Moral Philosophy to be a difficult subject. This was primarily due to her lack of attendance in the class, which had left her ill-prepared for the exam.
- Salma’s Confidence: Despite her struggles, Salma remained confident that she would pass the Moral Philosophy exam. Her confidence stemmed from the fact that the lecturer often repeated the same questions. Salma had meticulously prepared answers to these frequently asked questions.
- The Shocking Exam Questions: To her dismay, Salma was taken aback when she received her exam question paper. None of the questions she had anticipated were set. It seemed that the lecturer had decided not to repeat his questions this time, leaving Salma unprepared.
- The Intelligent Kolawole Abdul: During the exams, Salma found herself sitting next to Kolawole Abdul, a highly intelligent student. This encounter would later play a significant role in the unfolding events.
- The Dislike of the Female Invigilator: From the moment the female invigilator laid eyes on Salma, she developed an instant dislike for her. This unfavorable impression was primarily due to Salma’s seductive dressing, which the invigilator found inappropriate for an exam hall.
- Seeking Help: Undeterred by the difficulty of the exam, Salma resorted to using “student magic” to reach out to Kolawole for assistance. Through discreet communication, Kolawole managed to pass Salma a note containing answers to some of the exam questions.
- Caught in the Act: Unfortunately, Salma’s attempt to cheat did not go unnoticed. The vigilant invigilator caught her red-handed. As a consequence, Salma was asked to fill the Examination Malpractice Form (EMAL). To make matters worse, Kolawole was also implicated in the act and asked to sign as a witness.
- The Consequences: Salma’s act of cheating occurred during her final year in the university, adding to the severity of the situation. After the exams, three students, including Salma and Kolawole, were summoned to the Head of Department’s office to face the consequences of their actions.
- Expulsion: The committee responsible for investigating the incident reached a decision. Salma was found guilty of examination malpractice and was subsequently expelled from the university. Regrettably, her actions also implicated Kolawole, leading to his expulsion as well.
Conclusion
Chapter Six of The Life Changer takes readers on a rollercoaster of events that unfold during Salma’s final year exams.
The consequences of her cheating not only cost Salma her academic future but also had far-reaching effects on Kolawole’s life.
This chapter serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of integrity and the severe consequences of unethical behavior.
