…Holidays observed in breach with coaching classes, extra lessons

In Nigeria, things are done in excess including academic calendar, and mode of transferring knowledge.

The school calendar makes provision for holidays but pupils are not given the opportunity to rest. The reasons are partly the fault of parents who want to keep their children busy until after work-hours; it is also partly the fault of school owners who charge additional fee for lessons and for what they call “summer” lesson.

Ordinarily, a child should go home and rest after school hours, but he remains in school for more hours.

While extra lessons can offer academic benefits, overemphasis on them can negatively impact a child.

BusinessDay survey shows extra lessons in schools sometimes lasts for three to four hours or even more before parents arrive or children are allowed to go home.

Gift Oshikoya, a teacher described overemphasis on extra lessons as critically impacting Nigerian children.

“The consequences of overemphasising on extra lesson are many. It is ‘overkilling’ teaching in schools, by focusing on making more money for school owners, teachers, and relieving parents of the burden of keeping their children in school while at work, at the expense of children’s mental health,” she said.

Victor Usifo, a legal practitioner, said that exerting excessive pressure on children under the guise of extra lessons can have detrimental effects on their well-being.

“Some of the negative consequences are emotional and psychological, leading to emotional exhaustion, which can cause children to feel drained and depleted.

“The rigorous schedule of some children is alarming. For instance, a child may be picked up by 6:00 a.m., driven around to pick up others, and possibly arrive at school an hour later.

“After a long school day, they spend additional time for extra lessons. This demanding routine will undoubtedly take a toll on the child, if not now, but later in life,” he said.

Profit-driven syndrome in schools

Some private schools exploit parental anxieties by offering extra lessons as a paid service, prioritising profit over the well-being of their students.

Children whose parents can afford to pay for hours of extra-moral activities stay back to learn after others have gone home while those whose parents either cannot afford to pay or detest the idea are asked to go home.

Oshikoya blamed this on cultural and value shift which is eating deep into the fabrics of education in Nigeria.

“Pupils are forced to endure excessively long school hours, often stretching far beyond the standard academic day. The essence of the problem lies in a cultural shift that prioritises financial gains, rote learning and relentless instruction over holistic development,” she noted.

Parental pressure

Many parents, driven by fear of academic failure and societal expectations, actively seek out and support these extra lessons, believing that more instruction equates to better outcomes.

Some parents patronise extra lesson as foster-parenting while at work, hence, are ready to pay the price at the detriment of the child.

Experts say that parents need to be educated about the detrimental effects of excessive instruction and the importance of allowing their children to rest and play.

Olusola Kayode, a civil servant sees extra lesson system in schools as an ‘overkill’ learning approach that has far-reaching detrimental consequences, impacting pupils’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

“Long school days, and extra lessons, drastically limit the amount of time that children have to spend with their families. This can weaken family bonds and negatively impact emotional development,” she said.

Mental health issues

Experts also argue that pilling up academic works on a child in the form of extra lessons can lead to increased stress and anxiety.

Olubunmi Apologun, a medical practitioner, said that constant pressure to perform and the lack of downtime contribute to chronic stress and anxiety.

“Children may develop anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and other stress-related conditions. The relentless academic schedule leads to mental exhaustion, making it difficult for pupils to concentrate, learn effectively, and retain information,” she said.

Reduced creativity and cognitive flexibility

Overemphasis on rote learning and standardised tests stifle creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

“This development robs children of cognitive flexibility, and the ability to adapt to new situations, and thinking outside the box, is also hindered. While extra lessons may lead to short-term gains in test scores, they can ultimately hinder long-term academic success by stifling critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”

Holidays should be for rest not for strenuous activities

Parents have been reminded that the period of holidays should be a rest period for pupils and not for strenuous mental work.

A child psychologist, Kingsley Onuka, said: “In the Western world, holidays are periods when people find time to rest. If they go on leave from office, they travel out of their location to rest and forget work. The same thing with children in school. Holiday period is not a time to pile all manner of lessons on a child. Parents must understand that such excessive mental task is not good for their children.”

The way forward

Oshikoya said that education stakeholders should shift the focus to holistic child development, and not the other way round

“Education should prioritise the development of the whole child, including physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

“Education should move away from rote learning and emphasise critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Focus on delivering high-quality instruction during regular school hours, rather than cramming in extra lessons,” she said.

She called on the government and educational authorities to regulate school hours and holiday activities to ensure that pupils are not being overburdened.

“Nigeria can create a more balanced and effective education system that nurtures the well-being and potential of its children,” she noted.

Usifo maintained that it is imperative for parents to recognise the importance of adequate rest for their child’s emotional well-being. Physical effects, such as fatigue and decreased concentration, can also arise from chronic exhaustion.

“It is essential for parents to strike a balance between academic enrichment and allowing children sufficient time for rest, relaxation, and play to ensure their overall well-being,” he said.