Have Schools become the the New Designer Handbags?

Since the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, education was recognized as a basic human right in Nigeria. These days, however, some aspects of the educational system seem to be tilting more towards becoming a luxurious social statement than this right it should be. I find that very sad, 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 and not that basic right, which should be fully implemented and supported by the government. I’m sure those who did their NYSC in the public sector will share this concern, because it seems like while some children enjoy exceedingly extravagant lifestyles, a good majority are neglected. And if, by the time they reach SS3 at school, our youth cannot read or write properly, shouldn’t we worry about the future of our country? Are we not worried that only about 60,000 among the 70million children of school age registered for the National Examinations Council (NECO) Examinations? What was everyone else doing?

This is one of the fundamental problems we have in Nigeria. However, some have identified that schools have become a moneymaking machine because some are 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 genuinely believe you are receiving the quality of education you want 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 countries such as the United States and United Kingdom have strong infrastructure in place for their public school equivalents, such that these children are exposed to somewhat equal opportunities as those in private schools. It’s not perfect, but there are dedicated efforts to make it work.

Sometimes I even think this is one of the reasons why these days, men tend to stay bachelors until their mid-30s, when they have reached the point of greater financial stability. It is bad enough that living and working in Lagos has become overwhelmingly expensive; but now, there is the added pressure of some demands that young women today, 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 and 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 equivalent of the private educational sector anyway? Are they truly worth it? 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 child 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% of the staff is foreign is “worth it”. Some would argue that their child returning every day with an evolving foreign accent makes it “worth it”. Children 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 morally loose canons when they grow older.

Well, my definition of “worth it” goes beyond a quality educational curriculum. I recently attended a talent show at one of these 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. Your grooming gives some indication of the nature of the home you come from. To me, if you 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?

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.