Recent educational and value systems shifts in Lagos

The 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises education as a basic human right in Nigeria. However, over the recent years, particularly in the last three decades or so, the approach towards private education (especially amongst residents of Lagos State) seems to be tilting a little more towards a luxurious social statement than the premise of this declaration.

When you find prominent politicians directing funds towards the establishment of private schools while public sector education suffers, it raises questions about where our values lie. I find it very sad that, particularly at the Primary and Secondary School levels, the public education system has been left to become more of a Corporate Social Responsibility activity of private companies and other not-for-profit bodies rather than that basic right, which should be fully implemented and supported by the government.

There is a very wide gap between public and private education in this country such that by the time some our youth who go through the public education system graduate, they cannot read or write properly. This is huge aspect of education in Nigeria that should concern each and every one of us. It is a fundamental problem, which directly affects the future of our country.

As much as this is an area in dire need of attention, sometimes people do not seem too concerned about it. Even in the private education sector, major areas of concern arise. From the owners’ perspective, opportunism has deemed schools a moneymaking machine, where structures are put in place, but do not meet the required standards for children to excel. On the other hand, some parents are also willing to scrape their bank accounts or go out begging for loans from family and friends all just to attain the label of their children attending the most socially acceptable schools. I’m not saying it is wrong to send your children to these schools.

If you can afford it without a drop of sweat, and you truly believe you are receiving the quality of education you desire for your children, then why not? After all, we find the same sorts of schools in the western world, but the only difference is that in countries such as the United States and United Kingdom, there educational standards are clearer and better adhered to; and there is strong infrastructure in place for public schools, such that the children who attend them are exposed to many of the same opportunities as those in private schools. No system is perfect, they have their peculiarities and setbacks, but they seem so be far more structured and organized than ours in Nigeria.

Sometimes I even think this is one of the reasons why these days, men tend to remain bachelors until around their mid-30s, when they have reached the point at which they start to become more financially stable. It is bad enough that living and working in Lagos has become overwhelmingly expensive especially in the current state of the economy; but now, there is the added pressure of some demands that young women of nowadays place on their young husbands who are only just struggling to start their careers: we must drive certain cars, we must live in a certain area, we must travel abroad for annual summer (and sometimes, additionally Christmas) holidays…and now, “my children must attend a certain school”!

Whereas, you find that some of these young women are not even willing to lift a finger to work. In an ideal world, yes, the man should fully support the home financially. He is, after all, the breadwinner. But realistically, in this day an age where the cost of living is skyrocketing, men need more support.

What is there to be gained from some of these schools, which have become the Chanel or Hermes Berkin equivalent of the private educational sector anyway? Is it worth it at the end of the day? Well, then again, that depends on people’s definition of “worth it”. To some, the fact that their child attends a school where the fees are paid in dollars or pounds is “worth it”. To some, the fact that their child attends the same school as the children of the so-called elites of the society is “worth it”.

To some the fact that their child attends a school owned by some popular person is “worth it”. To some, the fact that their child attends a school where 50 percent of the staff is foreign is “worth it”. To some, the fact that their child returns every day from school having developed a foreign accent is “worth it”. Let’s give children some credit. They are fast learning machines, even in their subconscious. If from a young age, they are exposed to such a shortfall in values, then they are more likely to become moral loose cannons when they grow older.

 

Well, my definition of “worth it” goes beyond a quality educational curriculum. Quality teachers are also extremely important. It is one thing to have the entire infrastructure in place, but if it is not properly applied to the children’s learning, then is it really worth it? Additionaly, I recently attended a talent show at one of these “socially acceptable” schools, and I could tell from their performance that these children were brilliant, without a doubt.

But the one thing that I found a little unsettling was their grooming! Long, painted and dirty fingernails, all sorts of unkempt hairstyles on both boys and girls: Afros, poorly maintained weave-ons (which I honestly don’t think should even be worn at a young age); in fact, it looked like some were trying to grow dreadlocks. Some of my friends think I am a little obsessive compulsive, but these are the little details I pay attention to because, to me, it goes beyond the appearance of the children. Your grooming gives some indication of the nature of the home you come from. To me, if don’t appear to take care of yourself, then I wonder how much attention you pay to the cleanliness of your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and home in general; and are you going carry this nature along to adulthood?

 

These were the values my late-Grandma stood for. At her school (somewhere in Isolo, Lagos), she did not care who you were or how clever you were, if you did not come to school with a neatly ironed uniform, white socks, polished shoes, and neat hair, you would receive the scolding of your life, and by “you”, I’m not just referring to the children, she held an iron fist with parents as well. If you did not greet the staff properly (including the cleaners), you’d be in big trouble. And you dare not arrive at school late or forget to have your homework signed by your parents. Interestingly, she was even stricter with me, my siblings and other relatives who attended her school.

When I look back, I thought initially that her strictness was a little extreme, but growing up, these values never left me, and have become a huge part of who I am today (well she always reminded me anyway). I’m not saying that this has brought me anywhere near perfection, but these are basic life values I feel some of the youth in Nigeria are losing out of all in the name of attending a school just because of the hype of having a high price tag on it.

Remember, the fact that something has the highest price tag doesn’t mean you get the best quality out of it; you’re literally just paying for the label. But I really don’t think this sort principle should be applied to the delicate matter of our children’s education.

 

 

Oyin Egbeyemi is Executive Administrator at Tender Loving School, Ikoyi, Lagos