School fees on the rise - The 'BUSINESS' of Education

Reviewing this trend and I'm yet to 'get the hang of it' (as my son would say). Many years ago, our parents paid reasonable school fees; their options included good private, public and federal government schools. I am afraid the choices are now rather difficult relative to value and affordability.

Today, some schools sell infrastructure, facade and exploit unemployment situations in the country to the fullest. Imagine a situation where a graduate of Yoruba language teaches physical education along with his subject. In some of these schools, if you cannot take two or three subjects as a teacher, there goes your appointment. Teachers teach just to get paid.

Many parents are having to break-the-bank to pay fees of schools considered worthy of their children. Good education is expensive no doubt but does it have to be that expensive? Is it commensurate to the value of 'education' you get? There will always be expensive schools but it is hoped that they embody the full value of the cost on teacher quality, teacher-training, top-notch textbooks, world-class extra curricular activities and amenities.

I think that many school owners/administrators have no business being in the sector in the first place. They embellish fees probably in guise of extra curricular activities and programs such as after-school clubs, some excursions, parties, mothers day, fathers day, etc. Some school uniforms are more expensive than 'choice' clothes for kids. Overall, they fall short of their claims.

Check the payroll of their average teacher. It is surprisingly a far cry from what is expected hence they cannot claim they have employed the best hands. However, a handful of schools are doing well in terms of remuneration. Some include monetary incentives alongside awards of excellence.

There aren't many good teachers who are products of expensive schools. I have heard people say that they will get into the 'school business' because it is now a cash cow......very worrying! No wonder some of us teachers refuse to succumb to teaching in just any school! The reason is because we know on a first hand basis that their vision is not basically to impart knowledge but to take advantage of less informed parents who can afford it.

It is even more surprising to note that pre-university education overseas is less in monetary terms and you get a better deal. So what is going on? Who do we lay the blame on? I see many parents complaining, but how can we help?

Brighter days ahead! Basic-9 Subjects revised.

Brighter days ahead LC readers! I sincerely hope that this is carried through a detailed and committed process that will involve well-equipped and trained teachers in the effective delivery of the project. It is a brilliant plan which will eliminate repetitive contents in a variety of related subjects. I hope that the curriculum developers are working hard now to create these revised subjects. I especially like the addition of 'security education' in the face of security challenges in our country - I believe in the power of re-orientation.


This is the good news....

Culled from punchng.com

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has announced that the implementation of the revised curriculum for basic education will commence in 2013.

Prof. Godswill Obioma, the Executive Secretary of the council said the agency decided to start the implementation after the conclusion of the review of the nine-year basic education curriculum. This reduction in subject’s listings, according to the NERDC boss, was achieved by grouping related disciplines.

He said, “Related UBE subjects curricula like Home Economics and Agriculture are brought together to create a new UBE subjects curriculum called Pre-Vocational Studies. Similarly, Islamic Studies, Christian Religious Studies, Social Studies, Civic Education and so forth that focus primarily on the inculcation of values (societal, moral, interpersonal) now form a new UBE subject called Religion and National Values”

“Key concepts in the former curricula now form integrating threads for organising the contents of the new subjects into a coherent whole. In the process of the review, particular efforts were made to eliminate content repetitions within and across subjects to further reduce the overload and encourage innovative teaching and learning techniques.”

He added that in line with the framework for reviewing the curriculum adopted at a national stakeholders’ forum on February 9 this year, pupils in primaries 1-3 are to offer a minimum of seven subjects and maximum of eight subjects. Pupils in primaries 4-6 are to take a minimum of eight subjects and maximum of nine subjects while JSS 1-3 students are to offer a minimum of nine subjects and a maximum of 10 subjects.

He explained that the unnecessary workload on pupils was one of the reasons for the reduction of subject listings at the basic education level from 20 to 10.

“A major outcome of the presidential summit on the state of education in Nigeria which held on 4th and 5th of October, 2010 was the need to reduce the curriculum offerings. For example, pupils in Kenya offer seven subjects; Tanzania, eight subjects; United States of America, six subjects; Malaysia and Indonesia, nine subjects each. Consequently, NERDC was mandated to revise the 9 – year BEC.”

The subjects listed in the new curriculum for primaries 1-3 are English Studies, Mathematics, one Nigerian Language, Basic Science and Technology (under which are also Physical and Health Education and Computer Studies/ICT), Pre-vocational Studies (comprising of Home Economics, Agriculture and Entrepreneurship), Religion and Values Education (made up of Social Studies, Civic Education and Security Education), Cultural and Creative Arts and Arabic Language (which is optional).

Way to go Naija!

Chinese colonization: Lagos state introduces Mandarin language in public schools' curriculum.

It is no more news that Lagos State has announced plans to introduce Mandarin (Chinese language) in her public schools' curriculum starting from next year's school session. The idea is that the students will be able to learn to speak the language and adapt to the Chinese culture. The commissioner of Education in Lagos was quoted as saying that the language has become necessary because China has become the next destination for economic growth and development. She also said that it will help students to further their studies in China so they can carry out various fields of human endeavor. I sincerely feel like screaming my lungs out!

Research shows that the ability to be multilingual is helpful to children because it makes them become multi-taskers and it increases IQ levels. It also shows that it brings about higher level of phonological awareness. 

But let me start by asking this: is this one of priority? Have you been around our public schools in Lagos State? There is some improvements going on but we are in still in the oven. You see, I think that we should get done with cleaning up the structures and environment in which the children learn first. A curriculum without the right context in which it is to be taught is futile. Not all the schools have windows, desks and chairs to work on. Our local teachers are yet to be fully trained and some to be sacked! The teachers and materials to be used to teach Mandarin will cost money! Why do we feel the need to spend such money for now?

The Chinese became great not by learning other languages but by using the language they understand to master the world's skills that have helped them develop. Particularly with numbers, in English, after ten the teens each have a unique name and each tenth following that gets their own name. In fact, one would need to learn 28 unique words to count up to 100 in English while in any Chinese dialect, Japanese, or Korean, one only needs to learn 11 – one through ten and one hundred.

In Asian languages like Chinese, numbers after ten follow a precise logic. Eleven in Mandarin is shi yi or ten-one, twelve is ten-two, thirteen is ten-three, and so forth. When we get to fifty-nine, the logic continues, five-ten-nine. Five tens and a nine, 59. The internal logic in counting numbers with Asian languages results in kids who speak Asian languages are able to count beyond a hundred before English speakers can even count to 40. But the Asian language advantage doesn’t stop in counting. Remember those dreaded fractions? In English we would read 3/4 as three-fourths. But for languages like Chinese, 3/4 is literally translated, “out of 4 parts, take 3″.

Lagos state is the most populous state in Nigeria and has indigenes from all over Nigeria in her schools. It could be difficult to learn all languages we speak BUT our core languages are not celebrated. We have not even talked about re-designing our curriculum to feed our needs. Should we not build our languages so  we carve a niche for ourselves and begin a process that will lead us to the greatness we see in China OR do we think greatness easily comes by learning the Chinese language or emulating their culture?

Learning Mandarin adds little or nothing in statistical terms. If part of the idea is to adapt their culture as quoted by the honorable commissioner, why do we have to? What is the significant percentage of our public school children that will make it to China for studies and come back home to apply gained knowledge? What about the curriculum currently used in the schools? Is it even healthy enough to get our children the best education - the one important thing needed for success? I think there is a much more to look into in our schools. Let the priority be in preparing children properly by laying a solid foundation so they can pass WAEC with much higher grades first! When we succeed at that and intend to introduce Mandarin and it's cohorts, it may be a welcomed idea BUT ABSOLUTELY NOT NOW!!!

Child minders and the 'African Magic' saga!

Have you noticed this unpleasant trend? I refuse to be amused by it no matter how hard I have been cajoled! I have no issues with the Africa Magic channel, but the message passed by many TV channels to the younger viewers concerns me.

I have noticed that these video clips leave our children with more negative than positive values. As adults, we may able to discern or discriminate what values we choose to imbibe BUT children must be given a clean bill! 

So, this is my issue with it. There is no substantial educative or informative  gains for kids in these movies or clips in question. Most of their content are adult based and not child-friendly. I literally want to jump out from my seat when I get some TV time and my kids are around me. Why? To flip the channels as we are barraged with all kinds of embarrassing scenes!

There are some sides to the matter! One is the fact that parents are oblivious of what goes on when they are away from home. Some of these nannies take charge of the TV and insist on kids watching their own interests. In some cases, the kids are threatened or subdued to not tell their parents. In this, I think there is always a way to ensuring some rules are followed around the home. You must consistently insist clearly that these channels are banned for kids in YOUR home. You could threaten that you are able to gain possible knowledge from service providers - do whatever can curb the trend.

Another is where kids are allowed to watch these clips because the child minders do not appreciate the importance of visual learning. Some parents unknowingly can't distinguish good or bad viewing for kids. There are  thousands of affordable and fun educational visual clips for children.  There should be strict orders that the kids be allowed to watch educative programs. They could even be comics! Their function includes providing a visual representation of something that regular text or oral presentation cannot do as well as contributing to oral language skills. Visual clips helps children break down information and manage it on their own which is in turn more memorable. Whatever they watch will make an abstract idea become more concrete. It is imperative that we regulate their viewing exposure.

OBAMAMANIA: Edu-solutions by a great man to his great nation at the 2012 DNC

Wow! This is a pleasant surprise! You see, no nation is without challenges. The difference lies in the passion to drive change. If a great nation with incomparably higher educational standards still seek ways to improve their education system, then in Nigeria we remain in our 'weaning' days. 

Please read patiently a portion of this great speech by President Barack Obama concerning education during the Democratic National Convention 2012.

"You can choose a future where more Americans have the chance to gain the skills they need to compete, no matter how old they are or how much money they have. Education was the gateway to opportunity for me. It was the gateway for Michelle. It was the gateway for most of you. And now more than ever, it is the gateway to a middle- class life.

For the first time in a generation, nearly every state has answered our call to raise their standards for teaching and learning. Some of the worst schools in the country have made real gains in math and reading. Millions of students are paying less for college today because we finally took on a system that wasted billions of taxpayer dollars on banks and lenders.

And now you have a choice. We can gut education, or we can decide that in the United States of America, no child should have her dreams deferred because of a crowded classroom or a crumbling school. No family should have to set aside a college acceptance letter because they don't have the money. No company should have to look for workers overseas because they couldn't find any with the right skills here at home. That's not our future. That is not our future.

A government has a role in this. But teachers must inspire; principals must lead; parents must instill a thirst for learning, and students, you've gotta do the work. And together, I promise you, we can out-educate and out-compete any nation on Earth. Help me recruit 100,000 math and science teachers within ten years, and improve early childhood education".

Ok! It's much longer but I took the part I needed. He infered that education got him and Mitchelle where they are today. Education has the key to all the answers! Can we focus on it? Can we speak more about it? Can we stop being ahead of ourselves and keep education in track? Enough with the hype on meretricious media! Coming from a 'super-power', there is no better time to realize how much further up the ladder we have to climb in the face of this speech. The time is now!

'LUDO'.... 'AYO/NCHOROKOTO' - Family Bonding & Fond Memories!

Playing traditional home games is a form of education that builds skills and encourages family bonding. 'Ludo' and 'Ayo' or 'Nchorokoto' were such games we shared in my family.

Ludo is a board game for two to four players, in which the players race their four tokens from start to finish according to dice rolls. It is simple.

I'll refresh your minds on how its played. You choose a color and place your playing pieces in the starting section for your color. There is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing one color over another (but everyone has their own favorite color; mine was yellow and green). Roll the die to see who goes first. The highest number wins the advantage to start. The first to get all their playing pieces home wins. Pieces from the Ludo game are small and can be choking hazards for younger children. It's a good idea to keep them out of reach of those that are under four years of age.  This game was originally designed for children but is popular among adults and children in Nigeria. Skills learnt include dice rolling and right movement.

Ayo/Nchorokoto was another one for us. I wasn't so great at it but I did my best. It is played by two people, facing each other, over two rows of six pockets, or holes in the ground. Each player places four seeds or stones in each of their six pockets and the players then take turns of picking up all of the pieces from one of the pockets and dropping one of them into another pocket one by one. The first player to empty all of the other player’s pockets wins the game. Ayo is an important 'mind sport game'. It has been known to help sharpen math skills.

These two games still gives me fond memories and I can't wait to share them with my kids. The skills learnt and type of family bonding it creates is one of those that's worth passing on to my next generation.

I cannot afford University.....what next?

It is practically impossible for every Nigerian to have a University degree. We can barely even make allocation for 10% of the population of entrants! Where are the universities, faculties, lecturers and facilities that will absorb all the students? Even those who are able to get one struggle to earn a living with it.

There is a pertinent need for much more Technical and Vocational schools. These types of schools serve students in skilled areas - ICT, Design, smithing, carpentry, woodwork, sewing, photography, home economics, plumbing, shoe-making, even cement making and crafts of varying types. You should see the amazing quality shoes, artwork and clothes I saw 'challenged' children and youth create during a courtesy visit @ a training in 2010. Anyone could buy them! The idea is to groom individuals who will be self sustaining and useful in the society. Here is a true story I read from nigeriadailynews.com that paints a brilliant picture telling us that even though you grab a university degree, it may not always pay the bills or build your dreams.

Like many university graduates, after completing his first degree programme, his efforts to get a white collar job were fruitless. Nnamdi, a 2008 graduate, is now comfortable as a successful furniture maker in Abuja. Unlike in public job, he is not only the Managing Director of his outfit, he also doubles as the Chief Executive Officer, the accountant, the cashier and the company secretary.

Today, he sees white collar jobs as waste of time, since he earns more than a university graduate and he is an employer, while contributing to the Nigerian economy. “After my service year, I started furniture business with initial capital of N40,000 which was the little money I was able to save but today, I know how much I am counting,” he said joyously. Mr. Nnamdi whose business is currently flourishing in Kugbo village of Abuja said: “Furniture making is a very lucrative business. When I ventured into furniture making two years ago, my plan was to be in it for some time and quit as soon as I get a while collar job but as time goes on I discovered that I am earning more than a graduate so I decided to stay put,” he said.

Impressive! Inspiring!

Make known your requests!

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has slammed his own government for its incompetence. The bishop was attending a book launch of Father Michael Lapsley’s autobiography, Redeeming the Past, in Cape Town on Monday night, was quoted as saying: “How can we have children 18 years after apartheid who go to school under trees". The Nobel Laureate also asked how the country could have children go to school when their education “is being crushed as the children attend schools without textbooks and no one is held accountable? Have we so quickly forgotten the price of freedom?” The outspoken clergy was addressing the text book scandal where thousands of children never received their government-issued books. “People are going to sleep hungry in this freedom for which people were tortured and harmed,” he said, adding: “It is hard to believe people are getting such money and benefits, and are driving such flashy cars while the masses suffer in cramped shacks.”

So around the world, people, notable people speak out firmly about the issues surrounding their education. Speak up Nigerians, speak up! 

The Nature-Nurture Debate. Where do you belong?

How many of us battle with the nature-nurture issue? In my profession, it is one of those debates that have to come up when assessing children's performances. Nature refers to our biological inheritance while nurture refers to our environmental influences.
In my alter world, I would like to be a Genealogist because I am interested in understanding how the make-up of a person influences them.
'Nature' proponents claim that the most important influence on development is biological inheritance. 'Nurture' proponents claim that environmental experiences are the most important influence.

Human beings grow in an orderly way just like the sunflower grows-unless defeated by an unfriendly environment. The range of environments can be vast but nature gives a genetic blueprint that produces common-ness in growth and development and in education. Nature proponents acknowledge that extreme environments-those that are psychologically hostile or empty-can depress the development. However, they believe that basic growth tendencies and intelligence are genetically wired into humans.

But how about nurture? All our experiences- whether biological ( nutrition, Medicare, drugs, accidents) to social ( family, peers, type of school, community, media and culture).

Researchers have found that caring adults who provide a supportive and nurturing environment have a substantial positive influence on children's development. I suppose that given the right environment, whether your child is genetically wired to be smart or not, there will be a considerate percentage of improvement. Are you a ' nature' or 'nurture' proponent?

GREETINGS BUREAUCRATS..... (an open letter).

Considering your interests and efforts in the development of  Education, I wish to make a few suggestions.

The emphasis on Early Childhood Education programs is to help children develop a solid foundation for reading, writing, science, discovery through experiments and math skills. Learning experiences are provided in all domains - physical, cognitive, social and emotional.

Individual differences are expected, accepted and used to design appropriate activities.

Teachers prepare the environment for children to learn through active exploration and interaction with adults, other children and materials.

Children are expected to be mentally and physically active. They are provided with many opportunities to develop social skills such as cooperating, helping, negotiating and talking with the person involved to solve interpersonal problems.

For many years, children (from working class and other lower income families) across Nigeria have consistently not received any/or proper education in our public schools before they begin Primary school. This is an affliction in our system because Early Childhood Education affords every child an opportunity to early skill acquisition.

Early Childhood Education is averagely the education of a child from birth to 6 years of age; after which formal school begins. This period is considered priority as it constitutes a time where skills are channeled,cultivated and coached. It is in this period that the child develops lifelong abilities. This class of children should have special attention in the our Education System across Nigeria.

There are lots of questions we should answer today. 

1. Have our school standards not become watered down? We should have early-years government sponsored schools that will make demands on children and inspire a new generation to succeed due to early skill acquisition.

2. Should schooling not pay more attention to the development of children's ability from a significant early stage so that children can process information more efficiently?

3. Can we not dramatically change our schools?.... so they serve as a locus for a wide range of services, such as primary health care, childcare, preschool education, parenting education, recreation, family counseling as well as traditional educational activities.

4. Will we allow our schools stay the same OR focus on changing the structure and curriculum?

Questions will be asked and we expect our government to successfully answer them.

LONDON MET UNI - A convenient store of knowledge or not?

Have you read in amazement about the impending deportation of about 400 Nigerian students studying in the United Kingdom? Pretty sure you have! Am I surprised? I'll say....yes, a little bit. My opinion aside; the reason for this deportation is that the London Metropolitan University has administrative challenges.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced on Wednesday that the University lost its Highly Trusted Status for sponsoring international students. More than a quarter of the University’s foreign students did not have permission to be in the UK, the Immigration Minister said. Foreign students sponsored by the school to the UK now face eviction if they fail to secure an alternative sponsor within two months, starting from Thursday(yesterday).

It is partly for issues such as these that I was inspired to begin writing a blog! Our future depends on EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION!

Did you read that? The University had lost its 'highly trusted' status for sponsoring' international students??? Surely a large portion of the London Met Uni foreign students will be Nigerians as we are now prone to seeking foriegn degrees.

What does this tell us? If not handled properly, a lot of dreams and hopes may be shattered. I can't seem to stop thinking that this didn't have to happen if we had a lot more quality universities. Our higher education is largely unsought for by a good number of Nigerians in recent years. When Nigerians school  abroad, they come back home and command higher-paying jobs, so why not!. 

Today, dear Learning Craft readers, let me not begin another eulogy of the obvious solutions that WE ALL know isn't rocket science. Please read some comments from affected students culled from 'punchng.com'.

'Some people come from poorer backgrounds… parents have sold their homes or land and made huge sacrifices to get them here,’ says London Met student facing deportation.

Lilian Owhor, 20, from Nigeria, is about to start her second year reading forensic science.

She said, “I’m really worried because this is my future. 

“I have come in today to get my transcripts, as I will have to see if I can transfer to another university.

“I haven’t been very happy since yesterday. My friends have told me to have hope. 

“The university have said they would help us. I contacted them yesterday before the final decision was announced but I haven’t spoken to anyone yet today. 

“I haven’t told my parents. I am just hoping I don’t have to go back to Nigeria. My fees are around £11,000 per year. I have already spent a lot of money on my education here.”

You be the judge.

Groomology 101 (School Success)

Don't get it twisted (in my D'Banj voice), school success begins at home. This goes to all - uncles, aunts, intending moms and dads, moms, dads and grannies.

Interests are important. Interests well groomed translate to skills. Skills become passion. Passion drives perfection. The Chimamanda Adichie's, Asa's, Mikel Obi's, Bez's, Mary Onyali's etc...imagine Nigeria full of skilled and passionate citizens.  

Let the child find books that interest them. Don't overlook graphic novels, magazines, recipe, cook and comic books or even books that will not interest you BUT interest them (books that are informative). The idea is for them to keep reading. You should chat about what they are reading in /out of school topics and get more books to support. The best gifts for children/teenagers are the gifts of books, you should try it.

Encourage critical thinking. Help them succeed by asking questions, make them give examples and assist in understanding concepts taught but please DO NOT force answers. We (the teachers) can tell at the 'bat of an eyelid' who supplied those answers.......yes, we  can! Watch out for those 'elusive' lesson teachers too! Some just want to get gone, so always find out yourself what the kid knows. Critical thinking helps children perform well in school at EVERY age.

Have routine talks with the school counselor and teachers. Ask a lot of questions that will throw more light to the child's personality. Create a challenging academic schedule that would deepen success skills but make sure to strike a balance. Do not put too much pressure but encourage them such that they gradually master skills that will help further studies. In summary:

• be involved
• reinforce at home - 20 minutes a day will make a huge difference
• communicate concerns and questions
• lead by example

'I represent Naija'....I will go for gold!

Olympic medalist Falilat Ogunkoya, who is an ambassador for the West African School Sport Union(WASSU) was quoted as saying that “the only way we will stop recycling athletes is to build from the grassroots. I was discovered in primary school and went on to represent Nigeria for close to 20 years........WASSU's plan is to generate more talents from the primary to the secondary, so that Nigeria and West Africa will once again become a powerhouse in sports.” She said this last year when WASSU's games were about to be hosted in Lagos.

 'She was discovered in primary school'. It's a no-brainer! This is the kind of precedence that shouldn't slip completely out of the structure of our school systems. In my secondary school (a federal government school), there were star students in all games, I mean ALL. I see talents everyday that I'm not skilled to train-and that hurts. I can barely run to save my life! So, how can the many P.E teachers around the country be aided to build these talents? Consider this. 

The shift in paradigm from hard-work to 'I can get rich quick' or/and the short cut syndrome is a stain we can erase. We start by talent hunting from the early years of these young stars. Build a structure that will secure support for their education through scholarships up to university level. We can also encourage these talents in primary to secondary schools by developing a reward system for their hard work and dedication. This is done by organizing regular incentive based local school competitions- This will also help to promote the values of hard work. Enough with 'you really don't have to work hard'! Yes, it seems as though success is now equated to a government appointment gotten by hook or crook, (and even that wont go round). The reality is glaring: Countries that have invested in building 'institutions' for sports have a sound Sports Education curriculum and of course results to show for it.

Edu-Info: REALLY? NO MORE 'HISTORY'! (1)

'History' has been removed as a subject from our secondary education curriculum. It implies that our children will grow up without understanding the various makings of their country and how her constituents evolved. They will be unable to appreciate the various cultures in their country because they have been denied formal access to information about their past. 

History serves us the opportunity to have a sound understanding of our past, understand how our current challenges occurred and gives the framework to invent solutions.

Do you remember the stories of the Kanem Borno Empire, the Oyo Empire, Nupe Kingdom, Oba Ovonramwen, King Jaja of Opobo, Queen Amina of Zaria, the Aba Women's Riot or the Republican Igbo societies? I certainly do! 

Are our secondary school children appreciative of these past kingdoms and history? These are good stories to learn from. Don't you think that a people who do not 'know' their history are bound to repeat some of its mistakes?

How was it then possible for such an important subject to be removed in the secondary education curriculum? Did our society suddenly drop into Earth - no past?

Edu-Info: Re-validation of Private Primary Schools. Wow!

I read an information that gladdened my heart. It is a reformatory process that I have long wished to see begin in Education in Nigeria. Now, how well this will be carried through will leave much to be desired; however I am sure that the words/actions have set a precedence. It was a clear call to all private primary school proprietors in Ogun State Nigeria by the State government to enlist all approved primary schools in the state on a website.  The State intends to officially  lock up all unregistered private primary schools.  The title of the warning read: OGUN STATE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:  REVALIDATION OF REGISTRATION OF PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN OGUN STATE. Have you been in any of what I'd term 'corner-shop schools' in many hidden parts of our States in the country? They exist because the public schools are currently in hibernation! There are standard requirements to setting up a school stipulated in our National Policy on Education. I am hoping that this is a work-in-progress. It is always rather worrisome even devastating to see 'short-cuts' allowed to thrive in our school system. 

"My child is hyperactive!" (Restlessness in Children)

Chinedu is a child who is always active, cannot pay attention to what is being said to him and does everything without thinking of the consequences of his actions. He is always on the move and exercises zero restrain, touching objects within his reach and exhausting all caregivers around him. He is easily distracted, does not finish tasks and often talks excessively. He has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD).

Research findings by Russell Barkley shows that on average, there are 1 to 3 children who have ADHD in every classroom of 30 students and 3 to 6 more boys are diagnosed than girls. This implies that there are more children with ADHD than we want to think...alarming! Many researchers agree that the problem of restlessness is in the growing brain of the child where the ability to withhold responses develop unusually later than normal but specific causes are not categorically known.

Parents are advised to;

• notice the behavioral pattern of their child
• get educated on the nature of special needs for the child
• support the caregivers who are challenged by this experience by giving more useful information on managing the child
• explain the importance of the teacher's behavioral responses around the child. This is absolutely important because the reaction of the teacher/caregiver is relevant to academic and social improvement.

Some ADHD get better with age especially in mild cases studies suggest. About half may manage their behavior, between 33% to 50% will continue till they are adults. The most persistent type of behaviors displayed are in learning challenges and disobedience.

I understand that many parents are unaware of this condition in our country. Those who know may not be totally accepting of it. If a parent finds that they have a special-needs child, it certainly isn't out of place to get the caregivers and the school fully involved. If parents provide complete information about their child, a lot more children will be successful at school. No one should be worried about them being treated with special attention, when that's exactly what they require. It is important to note that ADHD can be mostly outgrown, the essence of this piece is to improve the learning potential of our children.

September Jitters: Tips for parents of school-age children

Have you all fallen out of bedtime routine? Get back into your routine! A week before the first day of school is a good time to begin.

Shop for healthy breakfasts and lunches a week prior resumption, this will prevent the stress that comes with 'rush hour'. It isn't always fun to do that!

Some schools will give a list of school supplies, you could go do this shopping with your child ( but be firm to stay with the budget and NEEDS). Children must be taught the importance of shopping with a budget.

A week ahead, save time by stacking an arranged pile of uniforms needed so the children can easily grab it and go. Remember to match each uniform with a pair of socks and underwear.

Create a homework center where the child can study with easy access to materials needed.

Read as frequently as you can with your child and do oral comprehension skills. They don't have to be made to write ALL the time, it can be nerve racking! This encourages the child to want to read. Having mini-libraries can be useful.

Bus safety: If your kids are going to be using the School Bus, please, please do the right thing to speak about bus safety to the authorities and (in some cases) the driver. Use kind words whenever you get a chance to meet the driver and insist that he must adhere to bus safety rules.  Here in Lagos, I have seen far too many reckless school-bus drivers and I wonder how come they get away with it!

Parental involvement: This works magic - I can say this to you for FREE (as a teacher). Talk to your child's teacher REGULARLY about their educational and social development OR if you have some time, volunteer to be part of the PTA. A parent's involvement cannot be over emphasized, we all need to realize the heights to which it could jolt up our children's success.

          Hope you find this informative and useful.

Lights! Camera! CHARACTER EDUCATION(2)

I wrote about the six pillars of a good character and was asked if such a curriculum could be created. The ‘Character Counts’ educators have done an excellent job at developing them. There are sub-pillars (so to speak) under each pillar of the curriculum. Each behavior is thoroughly taught with likable aids and activities because learning through constructive play brings result. Let's see what it says.  

Trustworthiness
Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country.

Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.

Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbour • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

If there is any doubt about the potential of this curriculum, there we have it - a simple platform to build upon.

Back to School (1)

Pictures and colors bring things alive to me. Imagine what it does for kids! I am passionate about learning, children, schooling and all the nice things you do with children. I am a mother who delights in seeing young children taking colourful strides to school. I understand that a lot of mothers are beginning to engage in back-to-school shopping, I'm doing same too. As I was searching for lunch bag ideas, I stumbled on a few I thought I could share with women....and men too. The truth is that some men are doing great at these things because I have witnessed a couple. So, have a look and maybe this could inspire you!

Busy bees

Makes me smile

For the love of Karate!

Isn't she lovely?

Choo-Choo!.....Choo-Choo!!

Hmmm.....a healthy yummy snack

.......IN FLYING COLOURS.

One of our eminent ministers said a few months ago that Nigerian graduates are unemployable. The statement may seem presumptuous and even arrogant because it reeks of generalization. Was she taken out of context (even though she may be stating the obvious)? In my profession, I have come across a lot of what we like to term in common cliché ‘the half-baked graduates’. These people slap a blush into your face during simple conversations.

Hmmm....what happened during undergraduate days? How did they get to graduate (maybe even gain admission in the first place)? I hate to have to blame the system; but the system is to be dragged into this once again! The overall rot through early education to that stage is all a pointer to government's neglect. Students graduate from higher institutions without having ever used a computer. How can they fit into modern day working environment? You may fill in the blanks.

All this is clearly connected to our poor learning landscape. It is no surprise that more people squeeze their income to afford better education. Why? The difference is '7-up'(clear). Where are the English graduates who can write a proposal? Or Doctors who will administer a proper CPR? Have you seen Engineers who cannot perform simple algebra101? It beats me! We sure have our work cut out for us. I am trusting that we will get there!