Ever wondered what funny answers teachers receive in tests from learners?

Learners are not the only ones who face ordeals at school; their educators also deal with their own troubles, like being called "mom" instead of "ma’am".

January 12, 2017

Sheina Razack 1 minute read

Teachers at Benoni High School joined to share some of their funny experiences, while teaching over the years. They are, standing (from left): Candace Kobrin, Christina Di Bartolomeo, Lizl Smith, Tarryn Finlay and Colleen Engles. Sitting: Bronwyn Morgan and Alison Knoop.

The City Times spoke to several teachers at Benoni High School, who shared some of their funny experiences during their years of teaching.

They said some excuses given for homework not being done, included answers such as “the internet being down”; that “the cartridge ran out of ink”, or that “their parents were unable to do their research for them”.

Other experiences included funny answers received in examination papers.

A biology teacher said when asked to draw a pie chart, she received a drawing of a steak and kidney pie.

A geography teacher said she taught her class about three kinds of rainfall – and when the learners were asked what kind of rainfall Durban receives, she got the answer: “wet rainfall”.

A history teacher said Hitler is often referred to as: “the German dude with a mustache”.

The teachers also recalled funny events they’ve seen over the years, such as:

• A child passing out, while listening to their biology teacher talk about child birth

• Being unable to tell the difference between twins or triplets in a class

• Reading novels in class, which make some learners fall asleep – resulting in the class listening to them snore

• Being so passionate about teaching, that they fall off their desks while trying to explain the scenario

• Receiving a calculator from a Grade 11 boy, who typed his cellphone number in it

• Learners typing on their cellphones under the table, but pretending to be staring at their laps.

As much as learners get annoyed by their teachers, sometimes the feelings are mutual when teachers encounter learners who are constantly sniffing; refuse to pick their feet up as they walk; drag the chair before sitting down, or standing up; and looking around as if the teacher isn’t speaking to them.

If that isn’t enough for them to deal with, they must also contend with their coffee, seats in the staff room, parking spaces and stationery being taken by colleagues.