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Teachers caution parents against interfering with schools’ routine

By Olajumoke Akindada
27 August 2015   |   12:22 am
Against the backdrop of increasing complaints of heavy workload and interference by parents in their children’s/wards academic works, some teachers have cautioned affected parents to apply caution.

A  Staff of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Adekunle (Left) Maltina Teacher of the Year Consultant,  Prof  Uchenna Odenanyi, the Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Victor Famuyibo and  Representative  of  Nigeria Union of  Teachers (NUT) Chief Wale Oyeniyi.. at the event

Against the backdrop of increasing complaints of heavy workload and interference by parents in their children’s/wards academic works, some teachers have cautioned affected parents to apply caution.

Though findings reveal that excessive workload interferes with adequate application of concepts, and does not constitute good learning, teachers who spoke to The Guardian, maintained that school programmes were meticulously designed by experts so that they do not heap excessive workloads on kids.

According to the Principal of Premiere Nigeria Model College, Lagos, Mr. Oluwafemi Ishola, contemporary parents are always complaining of their wards homework or assignment, simply because of their inability to provide the needed guidance and complement teachers’ effort owing to their busy schedules.

He said parents should understand that educating a child especially in the 21st century requires collective effort, and so must partner with schools. His words, “When it comes to curriculum, I think the Lagos state government has done everything possible to ensure that the number of subjects allocated to the basic education level s fit for purpose.

Schools’ routine have been structured in such a way that the child’s brain should be able to accommodate every teaching and learning at that stage. “Unfortunately today’s parents are so busy that they virtually complain at every school work their wards takes home.

Parents should understand that these children need to be tasked, challenged and kept busy so that they can be very good in their endeavours.

He continued, “We are not in any way saying parents should not be involved in the education of their children, but most of them complain about school work being too bulky, which shouldn’t be so.

They need to understand that we are the ones in the system, and we are trying to give their children the best.” A teacher at Oakville Primary School, Lagos, Mr. Fayomi Olasunkanmi, remarked that concerted efforts remains a must in the education of a child and so there must be mutual relationship between teachers and the parents. “Some of the homeworks/assignments are given to the children so that their parents can play active parts in what their children do in school, and monitor their progress.

And so, parents should not leave all the work to the teachers, because these children spend more time with their parents than in school,” Olasunkanmi stated.

He added, “The problem with parents is that they have limited time for their wards’ education. Our parents are too busy and they don’t want to get involved in what their children are doing in school.

Most of them believe that once they pay the school fees and other bills, they have accomplished their roles, but it doesn’t end there. Affirming that most parents always complain about their wards assignments, a parent, Mrs. Esther Okafor, who is also a businesswoman lamented the fact that most parents were too busy to help out their children.”

On my part, though I complain sometimes, I also ensure that I see my children through any difficult work that is higher than their ability so that they will be able to defend their works in school.”

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