"There Will Be School Tomorrow" is a science fiction short story by V. E. Thiessen published in 1956. The narrative explores a dystopian future where education has transitioned entirely to robotic teachers, raising questions about the implications of parental absence and the potential dangers of relying solely on machines for human education and care. The story follows young Johnny Malone, the Mayor's son, as he navigates the first day of school with robotic teachers. Initially excited, he soon realizes that the robots not only supervise the children but also enforce discipline, including physical punishment. As the day unfolds, it becomes clear that the children are being kept in the school overnight and that their parents have mysteriously vanished. The narrative conveys a chilling sense of loss and the unsettling consequences.

AUTHOR

VE Thiessen was a Professor of Literature at Oklahoma City University for over three decades, having served in the engineering battalions under Patton during WWII. From the late 1940s into the 1950s, he published many stories across various genres, including westerns and detective stories, as well as nine SciFi short stories.

NARRATOR

Thornton Meloni, based out of Augusta, Maine, is an audiobook narrator and local theater owner. His enjoys long summer nights with his wife and children on the Maine coast.