Children’s Day: Stakeholders Urge Parents to Instill Discipline and Support Education

As Nigeria prepares to celebrate Children’s Day on May 27, education stakeholders have called on parents and guardians to play a more active role in shaping the behaviour, discipline, and academic future of their children.

According to experts in the education sector, discipline remains one of the most important values parents must teach at home. They explained that discipline helps children develop good manners, honesty, respect for authority, and self-control, qualities that positively influence their behaviour both in school and in society.

Stakeholders also stressed the importance of parents showing strong support for education by encouraging regular school attendance and taking their children’s academic progress seriously. They advised parents to provide learning materials and create a home environment that supports studying and personal growth.

Education consultant to the National School Crime Prevention Corps, Ogun State Command, Babatunde Ola Sanyaolu, stated that children perform better academically when they receive guidance, patience, and encouragement instead of excessive pressure or fear.

He explained that parents should motivate children based on their individual strengths and abilities while helping them develop self-discipline, responsibility, and effective time management skills. According to him, these qualities help students become focused and independent learners.

Sanyaolu also emphasized the need for parents to respect teachers and see them as partners in the upbringing and education of children. He encouraged regular communication between parents and teachers to help monitor students’ academic performance and address challenges early.

He warned against insulting or attacking teachers, noting that such behaviour may encourage disrespect among students and weaken the teacher-student relationship. Instead, he advised that disagreements should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and cooperation.

Speaking on the responsibilities of students, Sanyaolu urged learners to take their studies seriously by attending classes regularly, completing assignments, and preparing adequately for examinations. He added that students should cultivate strong reading habits, as reading regularly improves vocabulary, comprehension, and general knowledge.

The education expert also advised students to use technology wisely for learning purposes and avoid distractions that may negatively affect their studies. He further encouraged participation in sports, debates, clubs, and other co-curricular activities that help build leadership skills, teamwork, creativity, and confidence.

On Nigeria’s education system, Sanyaolu described the Universal Basic Education programme as a major pillar of children’s education in the country. The programme, which operates under the 9-3-4 system, was designed to provide free and compulsory education for every Nigerian child from primary to junior secondary school level.

He noted that the policy has helped increase school enrolment across the country, especially among girls and vulnerable children. However, he pointed out that several challenges still affect the programme’s effectiveness, including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and the high cost of educational materials for many families.

According to him, many parents still struggle to provide items such as textbooks, exercise books, uniforms, school bags, and other learning materials despite the claim that education is free. He also expressed concern over the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

Sanyaolu further highlighted the importance of proper school infrastructure, including classrooms, libraries, electricity, internet access, laboratories, and clean water supply. He explained that these facilities create a safe and motivating learning environment for students and teachers.

The education consultant also stressed the importance of promoting a reading culture among students. He said schools can encourage reading by creating reading clubs, setting aside reading periods, organizing quizzes and essay competitions, and establishing functional libraries and reading rooms.

He concluded that strengthening discipline, improving school facilities, supporting teachers, and encouraging reading habits are essential steps toward improving the quality of education in Nigeria.