BUSINESS DAY
Tuesday 09 October 2018
23
EDUCATION The evolving dynamics of discipline
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s common as the statement, “Spare the rod and spoil the child” in Proverbs 13:24 is, it seems as though it is gradually losing its meaning through generations, both literally and figuratively. The behaviour that people exhibit is somewhat a reflection of their upbringing. So when we take a careful look around us, we would notice that there are behavioural traits specific to certain generations. Observing individuals from each generation, you would get a good understanding of why these traits are distinct. People in our society aged about 45 and above were brought up in very strict households. In fact, majority of their mothers were either teachers, other forms of educators or had day jobs with schedules, which allowed them to go back home at reasonable hours to face their children and households. Mothers then were very strict; some would even call them wicked due to their approach, which sometimes involved physical disciplinary measures or other means which, today would be viewed as extreme, dramatic or even incriminating. Notwithstanding this, the products of this generation turned out okay. Majority of them became selfmade adults. However, when this generation started to breed their own offspring, they reflected on their parents’ ways and decided that they didn’t want to be as “wicked”, and actually desired closer relationships with their children, which
Students that participated at the Green Spring, Flutterwave partnered internship programme on Technology application in Lagos recently
they did not enjoy from their parents. So the shouting and dramatic acts of discipline reduced a little bit. But some of these parents had to be smart to tailor their techniques to their children, as all children are different and some require a little more discipline than others. However, others did not quite get it right, and this is demonstrated through certain behaviours their children (age group of early 20s to late 30s - millenials) exhibit, which include a sense of entitlement, impatience, lack of respect and lack of independence, amongst others. With today’s generation, there seems to be a lack of clarity regarding this area of discipline. This calls for the question: Are we becoming more lenient with today’s generation of children? This matter is far more
complex than it appears on the surface. With global consumerism trends, wealth becoming more of a materialistic venture than a dignified status, continued leniency in the approach of disciplining children, limited amount of time parents get to spend with their children due to longer working hours and women spending more time at work, there seems to be a bit of an interesting shift in the approach to discipline both locally and globally. One argument is that because parents do not spend as much time with their children as they used to in the past, some of them rely on materialistic gratification, for example by buying them sweets or toys if they miss out on a school play or certain activities that their children are involved in, or just not being in the picture
Students, parents to explore options in global education at ENAA Fair KELECHI EWUZIE
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tudents, parents will have the opportunity to explore options in Global Education as nearly twenty international schools participate at the 2018 Europe North-America Africa (ENAA) fair in Lagos. The event scheduled for Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Wheat baker Hotel, Ikoyi and in Ikeja on Sunday 14that the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja is organised by ALTS Consulting. According to the organisers, ALTS will host a variety of representatives from schools all over the globe. Essential information and counselling will be provided to prospective students seeking quality education in United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, United States, United Arab Emirates and South Africa. Akin Sawyerr, chairman, ALTS Consulting said the company since 2010 provides ad-
vice for parents with children of school going age with sound guidance and appropriate sign posting to get the right educational fit for each and every child, recognising the differences in every child and acting upon these. According to him, ALTS has been responsible for placing children from abroad into Nigerian schools in Nigeria and also offer within country placements, to ensure continuous cross -fertilisation and progression in the learning process. He opines that many of the children who have sought the services of ALTS have gone on to study courses like Medicine, Dentistry, ICT, Law, Business & Finance, Engineering, Accountancy, Aviation and other professions of the present and future. Many have now gone on to Universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, Dartmouth, Queens Belfast, Durham, Toulouse, KCL, McGill, Manitoba, Simon Fraser, University of Toronto, Queens,
Western, Waterloo, Alberta in countries like the UK, USA, Canada and France. A good number of our students are today working for multinationals and small businesses across the globe. Commenting on activities lined up for the fair, Sawyerr said there will be seminar for students and parents where experts will offer professional advice that will guide intending applicants. “Some of the seminar topics are developing entrepreneurship and leadership traits in youngsters; what it takes to get into top Ivy League or Russell Group Universities; what one needs to do to get a scholarship for university and what makes Canada a popular study destination”, he said. Parents are advised to make judicious use of the opportunity on the 13th and 14th October, by getting adequate information that would help them make informed decision, directly from the top schools present at the Fair.
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at all. Furthermore, parents may even feel so guilty for not spending enough time with their children that when these children misbehave, they give them a pass. However, this is really not what children need because the truth is that these solutions are only temporary, and are in no way the means of teaching children the difference between right and wrong. There is another argument, which stems from the materialistic movement in our society. Some of the things that are perceived as normal or “cool” in the current generation are actually not normal; some are very far from normal. It brings forward the question; why do parents now have a complex about what schools their children attend, whether their children speak with a foreign accent (whilst attending school in Nigeria with Nigerian
teachers), how many times in a year they travel abroad, how many countries they have travelled to and even what they do for their birthday parties (the good old living room and garden parties of the 80s and 90s no longer suffice). A good example of my experience in this was during my A-Levels in the United Kingdom. Amongst the Nigerian girls at my school, there was a certain group who looked down on those who travelled on Economy Class on the Aeroplane because they themselves had become accustomed a certain superiority complex of travelling in Business Class. Again, this is not normal, and is also an indication of their upbringing. Parents need to realise that their moral values transcend directly to their children both consciously and subconsciously. A recent article in a United Kingdom newspaper gave some insight into parents’ indiscipline in the school system. It spoke about a ruling by the Supreme Court to fine parents for taking their children out on holiday during term time. Since when did this even become an issue? The whole point of schools taking their time to prepare a calendar is so that parents can plan their schedules around it. Hence, there really is no excuse even for early vacation from or late resumption to schools, unless there are extenuating circumstances, which the parents ought to have discussed and arrived at an agreement with the school. This ruling came up as a result of a parent who took his
daughter out of school for a 7-day trip to Disney World during term time. He was fined £60 by the local council, but he challenged this, stating that his child had a good overall attendance record and parents should be given the freedom to choose when their children go on holidays. As outrageous as this may sound, it does happen in our environment as well. This parent missed the point. Missing out on school is disruptive for the teachers because they would have to do extra wok to pay additional attention to the children who miss out on school. It is even more disruptive for the children because they have to catch up with their peers. Additionally, apart from it being a slap on the face on other parents who are disciplined enough to make sacrifices and obey the rules; this lack of discipline translates to our children. Children are far smarter than we give them credit for and they are fast learners. If, at an early stage, they are not taught what is right from wrong, then they grow up to become undisciplined adults who lack manners, are disrespectful or even entitled. This stems from the behaviours they watch their parents exhibit whilst growing up. If they watch their parents bend or break the rules to suit their personal agenda, then they are very likely to follow suit. After all, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Parents, please be careful of what you teach your children, both consciously and subconsciously.
Enugu students qualify for semi-final of Cowbellpedia Mathematics competition
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nugu State has joined the list of s t at e s t hat hav e p ro d u c e d s e m i finalists for the ongoing Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz show, sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited. In reaching that stage, Ngozi Nworu, a student of Bishop Otubelu Juniorate, Enugu, Enugu State, raised the expectation of the southeast region to challenge for the ultimate prize crown with the Southwest and South-South regions, which have multiple representatives in the semi-finals. Ngozi was joined in the semi-final circuit by Damilare Adepoju of Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota Ogun State, both of whom participated in the same group of the second round. The other candidates who have now ended their
journey in the competition are Emeka Onwe of Comprehensive School of Management and Technology Staff Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebony State; Dongnaan Bala of St. Augustine College, New Karu, Abuja, Nasarawa State; Nnagozie Tochukwu of Jesuit Memorial College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and Swanta Stephen of The Incubators Secondary Academy Kaduna, Kaduna State. Ngozi attributed her success to her calculation skill and speed, adding that “there is a lot of benefit of being able to tackle a problem without resorting to a calculator and that was what helped me in the 60 Seconds of Fame segment.” In the senior category, Ruth Imarhiagbe of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as well as Oreofe Daniel of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State progressed to the semi-finals.
Despite their spirited efforts in the first and second rounds, four of their colleagues could not surmount the hurdles. These include: Aliyu Tukur Usman of Darul Arqam Islamic Institute, Yola Adamawa State and Sanyaolu Daniel of Taidob College Abeokuta, Ogun State. Other are: Onyedikachi Kanu from Dority International Secondary School, Aba, Abia State; and Victory Oboh, a student of Lords and Kings Academy, Warri, Delta State. Speaking to journalists outside the studio in Lagos last weekend, Ruth insisted that Mathematics is fun, and she would be delighted to wear the crown at the final. Oreofe, on her own part, believes her frightful moment is over and that she is now in the right frame of mind to confront and dismantle the remaining obstacles on her way to ultimate prize.