Swahili readings / Beginner 2 / School & Education

First Day of Secondary School

Siku ya Kwanza ya Shule ya Sekondari

1) Leo ilikuwa siku yangu ya kwanza ya shule ya sekondari. Niliamka mapema kabla ya jua kuchomoza, nikavaa sare mpya na viatu vilivyosafishwa, nikapanga vitabu na kalamu kwenye begi. Nilihisi woga kidogo lakini pia nilikuwa na hamasa. Wazazi waliniambia nitafanya vizuri, na nikapumua kwa utulivu. Kwenye basi nilitazama mji ukiamka na nikafikiria kuhusu walimu wapya, masomo mapya, sayansi, hesabu, na lugha. Nilijiambia nitakuwa mpole, mchapakazi, na rafiki mwema. 2) Nilipofika shuleni niliona lango kubwa na wanafunzi wengi. Kengele ilipolia tulipanga mstari na mwalimu mkuu akatuakaribisha. Mwalimu wa darasa alitutambulisha na akasema sheria rahisi: tufike kwa wakati, tuweke vitabu safi, tuheshimiane, na tuulize maswali bila aibu. Tulipewa ratiba ya wiki, na nikaketi karibu na dirisha. Moyo wangu ulienda mbio, lakini jirani yangu Amina alinitabasamu, nami nikajisikia vizuri. 3) Wakati wa mapumziko nilipotea kidogo nikitafuta ukumbi wa chakula, hivyo nikamuuliza kiranja anielekeze. Nilipomkuta mwenzangu tulikula mkate na chai, halafu tulitembelea maktaba na kukopa kitabu kifupi. Kulikuwa na vilabu vya mchana kama muziki, mpira, na mazingira, nikachagua kilabu cha Kiingereza ili nijifunze kuzungumza vizuri. Baadaye tulifanya jaribio rahisi la sayansi darasani na tukaandika shajara fupi. Jioni niliporudi nyumbani niliwasimulia familia yangu, nikatundika sare, nikaandaa begi, na nikaweka alamu. Nilijisikia mwenye fahari na niko tayari kwa kesho.

English Translation

1) Today was my first day of secondary school. I woke up early before the sun rose, I put on a new uniform and clean shoes, I arranged books and a pen in the bag. I felt a little nervous but I was also excited. My parents told me I would do well, and I breathed calmly. On the bus I watched the city waking up and I thought about new teachers, new subjects, science, math, and language. I told myself I would be kind, hardworking, and a good friend. 2) When I arrived at school I saw a big gate and many students. The bell rang, we lined up, and the head teacher welcomed us. The class teacher introduced us and said simple rules: arrive on time, keep books clean, respect each other, and ask questions without fear. We were given the timetable of the week, and I sat near the window. My heart went fast, but my neighbor Amina smiled at me, and I felt good. 3) During break I got a little lost looking for the dining hall, so I asked a prefect to direct me. When I met my friend we ate bread and tea, then we visited the library and borrowed a short book. There were clubs at lunchtime like music, football, and environment, I chose the English club so that I can learn to speak well. Later we did a simple science experiment in class and wrote a short diary. In the evening when I returned home I told my family, I hung the uniform, prepared the bag, and set an alarm. I felt proud and I am ready for tomorrow.