Ah... school—one of humanity's greatest inventions. From my point of view, I would even say it's the very best.
School, in its purest form, stands as a promise. It is meant to be the foundation upon which the future rests—a space for the transmission of knowledge, intellectual awakening, and learning about the world. It offers the tools needed to understand natural laws, social dynamics, and cultural foundations. It is a place where curiosity finds fuel, where reason is shaped, where one learns to structure thought. I believe Aristotle and King Radama I would agree with this point of view.
At its best, school is an open door to self-fulfillment. It gives everyone the opportunity to grow beyond the limits of birth, background, and prejudice. It shapes critical thinking and, through disciplined learning, teaches true freedom: the freedom to think independently. Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." This vision came to life during periods of intellectual renewal, like the Enlightenment in Europe, where education laid the groundwork for modern democracy.
It is also a space for encounters, for socialization, where friendships are formed, debates emerge, and ideas clash and evolve. In theory, it is fertile ground for imagination and innovation.
But this idealized vision is often nothing more than a mirage.
Because school is also a prison. A rigid mechanism where the individual must adapt to predefined boxes instead of flourishing through their uniqueness. A system where intelligence is measured by numbers, where creativity is often stifled under arbitrary norms.
In Madagascar, for example—look at the same uniforms, the same haircuts, the rules, the strict schedules… Sir Ken Robinson condemned this approach when he said: "School is the place where children of the same age are brought together and forced to learn the same thing, at the same time, in the same way, regardless of their differences."
Albert Einstein's story also highlights this problem well: labeled a poor student at school, his way of thinking didn't match traditional academic standards. Yet, he went on to become one of the most brilliant minds in history.
The student is not treated as a mind in search of truth, but as a cog in a machine whose ultimate purpose is integration into a formatted labor market. School produces more system workers than free thinkers, more consumers than creators. It traps students in a cycle where the fear of failure becomes a stronger driver than the love of knowledge.
Noam Chomsky encapsulates this paradox perfectly: "Education is about teaching us to think for ourselves, not to submit to the thoughts of others." This dilemma is beautifully portrayed in the film "Dead Poets Society", where a teacher urges his students to break free from established molds and embrace their own intellectual paths.
School is, therefore, a paradox.
It is both the key to emancipation and the bars of a cage. Everything depends on how we go through it—on how we use knowledge, on our ability not to be crushed by the system. And perhaps the real challenge is not merely to survive it, but to learn how to exist differently within it. To see beyond grades, assessments, and pre-determined paths. To shape an identity that doesn't rely solely on external expectations.
School will never be perfect, but it can become what each person makes of it:
either a springboard to freedom, or a maze with no exit.
This is what I think. And this is what I believe most people should think about school.
But Haintso is not most people.
And frankly, even I—the author of this book—don't always know what he's thinking.
I simply try my best to narrate the scene I see.
But the truth is, I'm telling you—
some imaginations come to us without ever being summoned.
Some words come out without ever having been learned.
And later, with maturity, I've come to understand that some things don't need to be understood—
they simply need to be appreciated.
Anyway,
Disciplines are exhausting…
So, the Dean of Discipline sighs. He's worn out from seeing the attendance register, the repeated absences of student number sixteen, number sixteen's report card, number sixteen's personal notebook, and number sixteen himself smiling at him foolishly.
"This is all so stupid," he thinks to himself:
— "So, you have a condition that requires regular treatment, huh?"
— "That's right, sir. I already have an official letter from the deputy principal."
— "I don't know. You look like a smartass who's making fun of me. Yet, this doctor's note seems authentic… I really feel like talking to your parents about this."
— "I understand you. A student who's often absent with nothing but a piece of paper full of scribbles as an excuse, it's frustrating. However, the treatment for this illness is expensive, which prevents my parents from missing even a single day of work. They have no choice but to entrust me with the responsibility for my own schooling."
— "… Your grades are pretty good. Apart from your absences, the teachers don't seem to have a problem with you, so I guess it's fine. You may go."
— "Thank you, sir."
And then, there are the lessons…
Being absent all the time is a burden. You haven't mastered one chapter before the others are already knocking on your door. And Haintso's facial expression already shows how serious this is. As usual, he tries to catch up on the missed or confusing lessons by asking his seatmate:
— Hey man, can I copy your notes? I was really struggling earlier.
But the guy replies, like:
— Man, it's not that I want to be difficult (Damn dude, you're being difficult), but your girlfriend is the top student in the whole school. (Yep, it's her.)
— Oh… yeah, I forgot about that detail.
— Seriously, you need to come back to earth. How can someone forget their girlfriend, especially when she's the smartest and the most beautiful girl in school?
Haintso sighs.
It's true—even he wonders how.
Haintso looks around, but everyone keeps their pride. They keep ignoring him—just barely. It's not because he somehow ended up with Miaro in some mysterious way that he suddenly becomes interesting.
— Sorry, man. I'll go ask her right away.
With those words, Haintso heads off to see a very good friend, very smart, very kind, very beautiful—and who just so happens to now be his beloved. He calmly walks the thirty-something steps that lead to class 11-2.
As he climbs the stairs, people start asking questions. They're intrigued. They watch him—but Haintso is not Miaro. He meets their stares with a little wave. He plays the star.
And honestly, it's arrogant and frustrating, say the others. His behavior is more than enough to erase any unwanted presence.
And then, there are the school activities...
When Haintso enters the 11th-grade class, several upperclassmen are already debating in front of Miaro.
—"Sorry, Rajo, but who doesn't want Miaro in this competition?"
—"So, you want to challenge me, Faneva?"
—"Please, don't fight over this. I'm not interested in your thing." Miaro adds. But the two parties continue.
—"We can settle this with math."
—"I agree."
Haintso, who is watching the scene, is completely lost. But Tsiaro and Kanto finally notice him.
—"Hey Haintso, what are you doing here?"
—"Ah… It seems my girlfriend is the best student in the school. Lucky for me, because I'm struggling with physics."
But Miaro also notices Haintso, finally. She never expected to see him come into her class, but here he is. Haintso looks at her. Then, he approaches her desk. Everyone is watching. They all wonder how he managed to get the Madonna of the school. But in his head, Haintso just came to see a friend. So Miaro, wanting to play their couple's act, timidly starts with a:
—"Hey, honey."
Then, she realizes how ridiculous it was. She's embarrassed and uncomfortable, very uncomfortable. Haintso, too, is surprised but also embarrassed and uncomfortable with the "honey." He responds timidly:
—"Ah… I need your help with mechanics. I don't quite understand forces and all that."
Of course. Sit down. I brought some chips and cookies. Take some.
Haintso accepts the offer under the watchful eyes of their classmates. In turn, he realizes that it has become ridiculous.
But Rajo and Faneva are still at it with their battles. So Rajo continues:
—"Miaro, we really need you. The pride of the school is at stake."
—"Yes, I will never agree with Rajo's methods, but think about the school."
But does Miaro really look like someone who cares about the fate of the school? The answer is, of course, no, but maybe this will be an opportunity to have some fun.
—"... You're right. Maybe I should participate."
—"That's good. You can join my team."
—"No, mine."
But Miaro responds:
—"No, I already have a team."
The two don't know what to say, like, "what the hell." And everyone, including Tsiaro and Kanto, is super surprised. But that's what Miaro did. So, Tsiaro asks her:
—"Oh really, you already have a team? ... But everyone knows the teams are Rajo's and Faneva's." But Miaro responds:
—"We just have to register."
—"Excuse me, we?"
—"Yes, I'm number one in the 11th grade, you're number six, and Kanto is number four. We all have a chance, don't we?"
But Kanto continues the conversation:
—"But Miaro, we're all 11th graders. And everyone knows these exams don't take our titles into account."
Haintso smiles to himself; he already knows what Miaro is going to say.
—"Exactly! So, we'll participate, even if it's just for fun."
That's what Miaro said. Having Haintso beside her makes her courageous—no, I would say it makes her herself. But what Haintso didn't expect was:
—"Plus, we have Tojo and Haintso with us."
Haintso and Tojo:
—"Excuse me?"
Come on, you're not going to leave your girlfriends without an escort during this merciless battle, are you?
Rajo is speechless. Faneva complains:
—"My God, the intellect xj has now become a love affair amusement…"
Then, Haintso tries again to reason with Miaro:
—"But Miaro, you already know I'm not very smart... besides, I'm afraid I won't be able to be there all the time... and..."
Haintso's gaze is fixed on Miaro's big eyes. The lack of time can be a very reasonable excuse. But Miaro knows who Haintso is. He's a "very" thoughtful student. He's her ace in this competition. So, she responds to him:
— "Please. I can easily cover your part of the work. All you have to do is show up at the exam."
It doesn't matter; he just doesn't want to participate. But as he looks around, he sees the faces of people who still can't believe their story. Honestly, Haintso couldn't care less, but he had promised to help Miaro. And he's just realized that since the other day, they haven't even interacted, let alone spoken. Haintso always keeps his promises. So, he forces a smile and reluctantly responds:
—"Of course, my dear."
This game, which Rajo and Faneva care so much about, is called "intellect xj." All high schools can participate. It's a game organized by the Ministry of Education. Students have a maximum of ten points to generate a team. If you choose a senior student, that would be four points. If you choose a junior, that would be three points. And of course, if you choose a second-year student, that would be two points. So, the possible team compositions are:
+Two seniors and one second-year.
+One senior and two juniors.
+One senior, one junior, and one second-year.
+One senior and three second-years.
+Three juniors.
+Two juniors and two second-years.
+Five second-years.
You can, of course, go solo or duo, but frankly, this game is about applying high school knowledge to real life, so… Let's even look at LMA, where they only have two teams available, three now with Miaro's team:
+Faneva's team: Faneva, senior scientific 1 (top senior overall), another senior scientific (probably one of the top seniors), and for the second-year, it should have been Miaro, but unfortunately, it wasn't.
+Rajo's team: Rajo, junior scientific 1 (top junior overall), another junior scientific (probably one of the top juniors as well), and the top second-year, number four, who is third on the second-year rankings.
And finally,
+Miaro's team: Miaro, top second-year overall, Kanto, fourth on the second-year ranking, Tsiaro, second in her class and sixth on the second-year ranking, Haintso, who is… Miaro's boyfriend, and little Tojo, who is Tsiaro's boyfriend. (Yes, remember Tojo from chapter two).