The need for proper guidance and counselling for Youths

David!!! Go to school I say! What are you still doing at home? David’s father must have shouted at him once in that manner. He might have even questioned him; ‘so you don’t want to become somebody in life?’

It could have being the case of a woeful result at the end of a school term, or been asked to repeat the same class or if he ever attended a university, being placed on probation or worse still asked to withdraw from the university.

It could have also been a case as simple as ‘WHY IS NOBODY ASKING WHAT I WANT TO BECOME? They keep telling me what they want me to become’ imposing their choice on their wards as it was the case in time past.

From the above scenarios, to Just about anything could have caused David’s hatred for education, even starting from childhood.

When a student finishes Secondary School and manages to ‘jam’ almighty JAMB and Post-UTME as the case may be, gains admission into the Higher Institution to study, he still has to learn under a ‘sadist’ posed as a lecturer and study to get good grades or bad grades in some cases ( peculiar to some higher institutions where students even study to get an ‘F’ ) In some cases, the parents or teachers might have been very insensitive and lacking empathy in the case of child who is slow to learn.

If the recent happenings in Nigeria are anything to go by, everyone will have justifiable reasons for not being properly educated. Reasons ranging from mediocrity on the part of the parents or children, to the loss of a loved one, lack of sponsor, child abuse of any sort, exploitation of varying kinds at different levels, bad influence/ association, wrong information and what have you…

Even when we decide to get knowledge through education, what follows after we have obtained the certificate, in most cases, is not encouraging in any way. If we scaled through all the stress and ordeals  of getting educated only to add to the ever-increasing population of Nigeria’s unemployed youths, or suffer national exploitation like the case of the recent immigration application exercise, then you might say; ‘it’s not worth it after all’

Even in the face of all these ordeals and negativities, the role of education and its importance cannot be sidelined nor over-emphasized. We might argue that some people are not educated and are doing very well still as the case may be for some people. We, alongside our children must be well-oriented in the importance of acquiring proper education.

Being educated lets you in on your rights and the extent to which it can serve you (limits). Some people suffer in silence or unnecessary hardships because they do not have a good grasp or understanding of their rights.

It also places you on a good pedestal in this era where a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc) is fast turning into a Secondary School Leaving Certificate with Masters degree(M.Sc) and Doctorate degree (P.hD) taking its place.

It also affords a better level of networking 

Bear in mind that no matter how rich an uneducated person might get, he would still need the services of a learned person

The well educated person does everything with a difference; a style and fashion including taste. A Mechanical Engineer in learned terms whose counterpart is a ‘road-side mechanic’ would be accorded far more respect even if he doesn’t have as much experience as the uneducated. The difference is always very clear and unbeatable in terms of income, patronage and the likes.

Charity they say, begins at home. Insurgency can be nipped in the bud if parents/guardians will be faithful in the training and up-bringing of their children/wards. Teaching the right morals and values; do as I do not do as I say; teaching them to write exams by themselves, or better still, prepare for examinations diligently.

We don’t always have to join them if we can’t beat them!

Correcting every act of wrong-doing,  at the right time, and with love, even if the ‘rod’ has to be used. A child with a rebellious trait can be corrected if given proper care and attention.

Children (and adults inclusive) exhibit various character traits at different points in their lives, sometimes depending on whatever they are exposed to. If we pay keen attention to our wards or squeeze out as little as thirty minutes from our ever-busy schedule to ‘play’ with them, we would definitely learn a couple of things in that short while.

Having discussions with them in a relaxed atmosphere will perform a great miracle. There are times we need the friend-to-friend or sister-to-sister kind of talk even as parents, it should not always be the father-to-children. Applying this method, you will be surprised at how your children/ward will open up to you and make you their confidants.

There is also the need to communicate with them irrespective of their ages or levels. Know that their desires and passions cannot be trampled upon in the name of ‘I know what is good for you’

Per adventure their decisions are in any way childish, make them see reasons why such decisions would not turn out well.

Most importantly, identify with their weaknesses, failures and fears. Gone are those days when our parents; fathers especially, boast of getting the best of grades without showing us proofs.

If they fail in anyway, and you have to scold them, make them know that it’s a passing phase.

If they cannot for any reason continue their education, make them feel complete still and not inferior whenever they come in contact with their peers.

The Government and due Authorities have to put in place, workable system not paper policies. Adapt policies that work bearing in mind our cultural differences and nature. 

For instance, how do you explain a recruitment agency asking an unemployed graduate for an exorbitant training fee for a job that he is yet to be interviewed?

Let us work with the structures on ground even though they are almost unusable.

Learning to do just the right and most important things right on time will definitely bring our most desired results.

Making the best decisions and making the most out of this limited lifetime, will count in the end even long after our absence.

Oloufunmi Ogunniran