A MISGUIDED APPROACH

A MISGUIDED APPROACH

Every parent expects to see his child or children doing well academically or become a reputable personality in the society. Parents love to see their children become medical doctors, barristers, engineers, etc, with little or no attention being paid to the academic prowess of their children.

The foremost type of education is still the informal education which entails the parent/guardian acting as a teacher who exposes the learner to the rudiments of life so as to acquire the basic knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the society. This type of education is no longer in vogue, as our parents have a misconception to this, and do not take out time to address their children’s non-challant attitude towards their studies. I wouldn’t blame; but in real sense, they are to blame.

Today, parents leave their children at the mercy of lesson teachers. They leave home as early as possible for work, to beat the traffic on our major roads, when the children may possibly be in bed, and on returning from work, the children are in bed. House-helps have taken their roles as parents, of which the affection a child is supposed to get from the parent is not there, hence, the children are exposed to a lot of social vices.

Most parents don’t know the strengths and weaknesses of their children. They expect the teacher to be able to discover the innate abilities of their children, whereas, it’s their primary role to do so

            Today, when a child opts for the Arts or commercial class, the parents decry. They start comparing their children with their neighbor’s, and you hear statements like “your friend, Obinna wants to become an engineer; Dayo wants to be a medical doctor, why can’t you also think in that direction?” Does this mean that the intellectuals are only found in the sciences? Why do some parents have a misguided approach to this?

If we all become engineers, who will be the artisans? If we all become accountants, who will be the newscasters? If parents and guardians are living up to their responsibilities, they would be able to discover the abilities of their children and wards, and guide them towards making the right career choice.

            Never compare your child with others. Everyone is uniquely made. Take out time to know your children, so as to bring out the best in them. Help them to discover their purpose, actualize their potentials and live their dreams.