The snatch of the education system

The transition to adulthood has been desperately omitted or snatched by those in the better position to protect it. There seems to be an unresolved misunderstanding and unchecked interference of duties by parents, thus leading to a struggle for dominance and control in a sector meant for experts. This struggle by parents has created deviant children that must be tolerated and put up with by the labour market and society, due to loss of control and compromise in the process of learning. The upbringing of a child is not the responsibility of the parents only, the teachers who spend a greater part of the day with them must play their part with minimal interference and by extension, the community in which the child grows in, also teaches the sacredness of the custom and tradition of the people.

Education was not just centered on academic excellence as it is today, but involved the inculcation of good morals and virtues, how to handle and understand failure, so that success can be appreciated, managed and sustained. Every learning process begins from the home which is the first school of knowledge acquisition. The importance is demonstrated by the grandmother who allows the cries of a newborn to linger to strengthen the lungs and clear airways. Every child is the symbol of a new generation, therefore, the foundational stage to a stable growth and development should not be sabotaged or omitted.

The educational transition of children used to be on a class-by-class basis, and classes were repeated for failure to satisfy the academic requirement of the present class and to meet up with the standard of the next class. This was not subject to negotiation, discussion or dialogue. Parents understood the importance of “a learning process” and not “mere school attendance”, with certificates strange to the owner or bearer. There was compliance because there was no room for compromise or negotiations, because there was separation and understanding of roles and responsibilities. On the other hand, school management ensured that children with poor academic performance repeated classes to learn. It was the policy and parents complied, because school authorities allow parents who refused to comply with established principles and standards to withdraw their wards. Sadly, the reverse is the case today.

The Child’s Rights Act, 2003 makes provisions for the general welfare of every child, but it is mostly used in cases of sexual abuse, custody and paternity disputes etc. Weeks ago, Felicia and I saw a female student, shocked by her stature and unkempt appearance, we walked up to her and asked her age and class. She said, “I am nine years old and in JSS 2”. Is it fair on her? Yes, schools permitted double promotion in rare circumstances, and the child involved is monitored closely to ensure there were no lapses in his general welfare. Where it appears the child cannot cope, he is returned to class-by-class transition. It was not all about academic performance. To our nine years old friend in JSS 2, has she lived her childhood to be forced into an adult stage and harsh environment with deception masked as care, love and concern?  It is a fact that some parents request that their children be promoted from primary one to three or from primary three to five, and in the worst scenario, write a common entrance examination from primary three. This goes against the educational system of 6:3:3:4: which parents are reprogramming to 5:3:2:4 or 4:2:2:4 or 3:2:0:4 or 5:3:0:4. This trend continues into secondary school, from SS1 or SS2, some students are registered for West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). If a child finishes secondary school at 14 years and has to wait for two or more years to gain admission into a tertiary institution, why then the rush? Why then the snatch?

The foundational education stage of a child should and must not be rushed or omitted. It is a stage that leads and prepares the child for adulthood. Adulthood is another phase of life that needs adequate preparation, careful and detailed guidance. Most children do not understand that there are consequences for actions and consider discipline as wickedness. The 9 years old in JSS two, who obviously was rushed, lacks knowledge of certain classes she skipped, throwing her into a state of imagination and confusion.

How does a 9 years old handle or manage distractions from the opposite sex and other conflicts, even amongst her classmates? How does she manage the psychological detachment from her classmate or schoolmate? Is she psychologically, socially, morally and educationally prepared to be in JSS two? For comfortable parents who can afford private tertiary institutions or overseas education, age restriction matters less. Children are complaining of depression because they are psychologically, socially, morally and educationally overloaded. Connections among peers are lost and reconnection to the next phase is strange and full of confusion. These days reasons for double promotion or dangerous class omissions can be likened to delay in child bearing, late marriage, economic pressure, financial management, waiting employment, unhealthy competition etc. A period to spend with peers, learn basic rules of life, quarrel and resolve conflicts, fight, if need be, pull tricks, play games, etc. is brutally snatched. At the forced adult stage, serious issues of life are now mere jokes leading to collapse of institutions. Teachers are complaining of rebellion, threats, assaults, rape, molestation, disobedience, nonchalant attitude towards academic activities, extreme poor hygiene, lateness, poor morals etc.

Nemo dat quod non habet, or as Lord Denning aptly said, “You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stay there. It will collapse”. Allow teachers to be teachers, likewise teachers be teachers. You are the key players in the education sector, there should be no room for unchecked interference. Parents should be parents as the Igbos say, “Okworu adi akari Onye Kuruya”. Proprietor or proprietress, it is your duty not to compromise your school standard and cause harm to the society. Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings should be greatly maximised. The tertiary institutions are complaining of unruly behaviour among students. The remand homes, psychiatric hospitals, juvenile homes, boastal homes, correctional centers, are not homes. We can stop the snatch. He who pays the piper dictates the tune, but does not dictate to destruction.

Ekong, a legal practitioner, can be reached via, [email protected]

Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, click here to find out how it works.

Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.