NAN-H-28
Skipping
By Uchenna Ugwu
Abakaliki, Oct.13, (NAN) Key stakeholders in the educational sector in the country have condemned skipping of classes by students, describing the development the major cause of poor academic performance in schools.
They accused parents of promoting the act, adding that the trend was common among primary school pupils and secondary school students.
The stakeholders made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Friday.
The President of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ebonyi chapter, Mr Onyeoma Kelechi, said the association was not in support of students skipping classes.
“We do not encourage skipping of classes. Unfortunately, some parents are induced by some people to carry out the act to the detriment of the children. We are not in support of it, “Kelechi said.
Mr Jonathan Onwugbaruko, the Principal of Jesus with Children Model Secondary School, told NAN that the act amounted to denying the students lessons meant to enhance their academic life.
“We have planned curriculum that guides all academic activities. If one jumps a particular class, the person may not get it right in life anymore.
‘’Rather, he or she will be left at the mercy of the society.
“So, we don’t encourage skipping of classes for whatsoever reason because it affects the child, both academically and psychologically, “Onwugbaruko said.
He frowned at the attitude of some parents and guardians who he said were the brains behind such act, adding that no student could take such decision without the consent of their parents.
He also expressed displeasure at the attitude of some parents who he noted dis not allow their children to repeat classes when they failed promotional examination and called on school administrators to curb the trend.
“Parents are to be blamed because in most cases, they want everything about their children’s educational career to be done within a twinkle of an eye.
“They object to repeating of classes by their children and immediately withdraw such children to another institution, “he said.
Onwugbaruko urged the Federal Ministry of Education to devise a central mechanism to monitor students’ class performances in every state.
He further advised that the mechanism should contain the exact number of students in a particular class and school, to help handle the situation.
The principal also advised the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to come up with its own mechanism as to check the development and enhance the educational system.
Mrs Blessing Njoku, a teacher, blamed the skipping of classes on parents who he said were always in a haste to have graduates.
Njoku also identified other contributing factors to include parents being ignorant of the consequences of their children skipping classes.
“I advise that children should be allowed to move from one stage of education to another in accordance with the educational system and standard of Nigeria to enable their brain develop well, “Njoku said.
Mr Benjamin Okorie, a parent, told NAN that the trend was not appropriate because pupils and students would miss fundamental lessons which they ought to know.
“Such act is associated with inferiority complex as the children will in most cases not be able to compete favourably with those whom they meet when they skipped.
‘’ It is wise to count one before two, “Okorie said.
Mrs Ngozi Ebenyi, another parent, urged parents to recheck their steps on the issue, adding that many of the children involved in the act might end up empty.
“Some parents copy from friends or neighbours without putting into consideration the implications of such decision toward their children, “Ebenyi said. (NAN)
UVU /NNO/DUA
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Dada Ahmed