20th November, 2021
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Parents and private schools have been told to allow children go through primary six class, being a basic requirement in the system, before getting to secondary school.
Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Education, gave the advice at the inauguration of the ‘ Hurried Child Project” in Lagos on Friday.
According to her, the national survey submission states clearly that children should enter secondary school at age 12.
The programme, organised by A Mother Love Initiative, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), was used to mark the 2021 World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.
Also, Nov. 19 commemorates the anniversary of the Convention on the Right of the Child.
Adefisayo spoke on “Policy Perspective on School Enrollment”, reiterating the national survey submission which states that children should enter secondary school at the age of 12 years.
” Let us help our our children pass through the normal classes as required, grow the way they should grow, in regular order, so that they do things as they are supposed to do in every stage of their lives.
” Fine, there are some outstanding children but the average child or majority of the children should just follow their normal biological age and development, and that is what we and this programme is canvassing for,” Adefisayo added.
Speaking on the topic “The Mother’s Voice”, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Lagos State Governor, condemned the act whereby some parents over schedule their children’s lives, and push them hard for academic success.
Sanwo-Olu represented by Mrs Edith Egube noted that there was no shortcut to success, adding that ” we must, however, continue to speak strongly on the need for all to adhere to basic processes in child care and development.
According to her, a hurried child will turn out to be half-baked, which eventually will pose a serious challenge to society in the long run, adding that it was unacceptable and unhealthy.
“ I am glad to note that the Mother’s Love Initiative has put in place some series to revisit old, indigenous, and traditional African cultural practices that counter the possible patterns of hurrying a child.
” We must continue to play up advocacy on the need to guide parents, teachers, and society on how to avoid the trap of promoting the practice of hurrying children in Africa,” she added.
Mrs Habatu Enwemadu, head external relation of the initiative said the passion to create empathy for the Nigerian child was the reason behind the programme.
Enwemadu noted it was also fundamental to create awareness as well as sensitise parents, guidance and school authorities on the implications and side effects of hurried child both on the children and society at large.