The Lagos State Government has enjoined parents and private schools to allow children go through Primary 6 class, being a basic requirement in the system, before getting to secondary school.
The advice was given by the State Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, on Friday at an event in Lagos.
According to her, a national survey submission states clearly that children should enter secondary school at age 12.
Adefisayo gave the advice at the inauguration of the “Hurried Child Project” in Lagos on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the one-day programme, organised by A Mother Love Initiative, a Non Governmental Organisation, was used to mark the 2021 World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.
Also, November 19 has been set aside to commemorate 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.
She said: “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 are canvassing for.”
Speaking on the topic: “The Mother’s Voice,” Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, condemned the act where some parents over schedule their children’s lives and push them hard for academic success.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by Edith Egube, noted that there was no shortcut to success, adding: “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 the society in the long run, adding that it was unacceptable and unhealthy.
She said: “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.”
Meanwhile, Habatu Enwemadu, Head, External Relations of the initiative, said the passion to create empathy for the Nigerian child was the brain behind the programme.
Enwemadu noted that 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.
She said: “An average Nigeria parent is worked up and have a lot of stress, pressure, yes the policies are there, existing, but there is need for sensitisation in a way they will understand.
“We need to spread the information because the truth is that some of them do not really the idea behind this advocacy, we need to do so through media, drama and this forum.”
NAN also reports that Abayomi Abolaji, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, represented by Adefemi Adevayo, and Dr Aina Olugbemiga, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Development, represented by Funmilola Peter-Popoola, attended the event.
Also in attendance was Wahab Alawiye-King, Chairman, SUBEB, represented by Morenike Ismaile.
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