Lost?
Perplexed?
Disoriented?
Unsure?
Unclear?
Bewildered?
That was me a few months ago.
Before the move, my Pastor gave me a few words of wisdom. When it comes to a child's education, she said, don't settle for less. She insisted I look at schools carefully and pick wisely. I went online to look at schools. All I wanted was the best for my babies. I googled lol (google is my friend). I googled Top 10 primary schools, Best Schools in Lagos etc. I wrote a list of about twenty schools and checked out their websites. The most expensive schools always had the prettiest website with stunning photos of the school and the children doing several extra-curricular activities. I went through each school's curriculum and the topics my children will learn on each subject. It took a while but doing all that background research made choosing the perfect school for my children a lot easier. I checked out some forums and read people's comments. So, if you are going through these motions, don't fret. You are not alone.
9 Points To Consider When Selecting A School For Your Child In Nigeria
1. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
When selecting a school for your child, look for a school that is academically sound. The good news is that most schools in Nigeria are academically forward. That's not to say they cannot improve on other areas, but when it comes to their academic performance, I think Nigerian school children are at least a year, if not two, ahead of their counterparts in other developed countries. During your selection process, take a hard look at the curriculum they follow. Do you want a school that can academically challenge your child? Do you want a school that follows the British, American or Nigerian curriculum? Do you want a school that focusses more on the extra-curriculum activities they offer so as to give the children a balance? Its your choice. Each child is unique. You can also look at the school's past years academic performance. What did their children get in comparison to other schools in the state?
When selecting a school for your child, look for a school that is academically sound. The good news is that most schools in Nigeria are academically forward. That's not to say they cannot improve on other areas, but when it comes to their academic performance, I think Nigerian school children are at least a year, if not two, ahead of their counterparts in other developed countries. During your selection process, take a hard look at the curriculum they follow. Do you want a school that can academically challenge your child? Do you want a school that follows the British, American or Nigerian curriculum? Do you want a school that focusses more on the extra-curriculum activities they offer so as to give the children a balance? Its your choice. Each child is unique. You can also look at the school's past years academic performance. What did their children get in comparison to other schools in the state?
2. DISTANCE
Location of the school. How far away is the school from your house. What will you do if there was an emergency? What about traffic? Considering work/business etc, will you drop your children to school and pick them up after school yourself? Will they use the school bus (every school has a school bus that offers this service)? Who will be with the child when they return from school? The location of the school is crucial. I would suggest that you try not to pick a school that is too far from home as they will be too exhausted when they get home. Remember home-time also means homework time so bear that in mind. Please be considerate with this one.
Location of the school. How far away is the school from your house. What will you do if there was an emergency? What about traffic? Considering work/business etc, will you drop your children to school and pick them up after school yourself? Will they use the school bus (every school has a school bus that offers this service)? Who will be with the child when they return from school? The location of the school is crucial. I would suggest that you try not to pick a school that is too far from home as they will be too exhausted when they get home. Remember home-time also means homework time so bear that in mind. Please be considerate with this one.
3. HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE IN THE CLASS
I considered the ratio of children per teacher in a class. I didn't want a classroom that was too full where my child will feel overwhelmed with the number of students in the class. I also didn't want a situation where my child is not being paid attention to by their teacher. I wanted their academic progress to be monitored and if a teacher is inundated with too many children, perhaps the quality I want is not what I will get. Having said that, I didn't want a school with only two children per class. Trust me, there are loads of schools (I call them converted houses) that have this. On the other hand, you might want a classroom that is full because they might feel more comfortable blending into the crowd without too much attention on them. It might be worth asking your child what they would like and take it from there.
I considered the ratio of children per teacher in a class. I didn't want a classroom that was too full where my child will feel overwhelmed with the number of students in the class. I also didn't want a situation where my child is not being paid attention to by their teacher. I wanted their academic progress to be monitored and if a teacher is inundated with too many children, perhaps the quality I want is not what I will get. Having said that, I didn't want a school with only two children per class. Trust me, there are loads of schools (I call them converted houses) that have this. On the other hand, you might want a classroom that is full because they might feel more comfortable blending into the crowd without too much attention on them. It might be worth asking your child what they would like and take it from there.
4. THE PRICE
As most good schools in Nigeria are privately owned, it is wise to consider the size of your pocket and the school fees per term. Most times, the better the school, the more expensive it will be. Remember you are paying per term and not per year. So if your school fees is N900K for the first term, N700 for the second and third, ask yourself if you can realistically afford such fees per child. If you can and your heart is content with the school, then go ahead, but if you cannot, there are other good schools. The last thing you want is to place your child in a school only to withdraw them after a term because you couldn't keep up with the fees. The onus is on you to be wise with your finances. Know your own pocket. Some of these schools are expensive not because they are better than a more affordable school, but because they have an established name. Their name and sometimes the beauty of the school is what they are selling. Some even get professional teachers from abroad. That is all great. But bear in mind that they all follow the national curriculum and each school expands on that.
As most good schools in Nigeria are privately owned, it is wise to consider the size of your pocket and the school fees per term. Most times, the better the school, the more expensive it will be. Remember you are paying per term and not per year. So if your school fees is N900K for the first term, N700 for the second and third, ask yourself if you can realistically afford such fees per child. If you can and your heart is content with the school, then go ahead, but if you cannot, there are other good schools. The last thing you want is to place your child in a school only to withdraw them after a term because you couldn't keep up with the fees. The onus is on you to be wise with your finances. Know your own pocket. Some of these schools are expensive not because they are better than a more affordable school, but because they have an established name. Their name and sometimes the beauty of the school is what they are selling. Some even get professional teachers from abroad. That is all great. But bear in mind that they all follow the national curriculum and each school expands on that.
5. AIR CONDITIONING
Some might find this a bit petty but I think its incredibly important. My children came from a cold country which means they are not used to the heat in Nigeria. I physically went around the classrooms of all the schools to ensure they had air conditioners in place for the children. What won me over with the school I did chose was the fact that each classroom was quiet and their doors are shut when the children are in their class. They can study in peace and also be cool while at it. No one is sweating, fanning themselves and constantly feeling uncomfortable. One school I visited said they only turn on the air conditioning when there is light. Knowing Lagos, that means almost never! So whatever school you do chose, ask how their typical day is run. Although your children may not complain, its a good idea to keep an eye on the little details. All you want is for them to feel comfortable in their school environment, especially when you are not there.
Some might find this a bit petty but I think its incredibly important. My children came from a cold country which means they are not used to the heat in Nigeria. I physically went around the classrooms of all the schools to ensure they had air conditioners in place for the children. What won me over with the school I did chose was the fact that each classroom was quiet and their doors are shut when the children are in their class. They can study in peace and also be cool while at it. No one is sweating, fanning themselves and constantly feeling uncomfortable. One school I visited said they only turn on the air conditioning when there is light. Knowing Lagos, that means almost never! So whatever school you do chose, ask how their typical day is run. Although your children may not complain, its a good idea to keep an eye on the little details. All you want is for them to feel comfortable in their school environment, especially when you are not there.
6. CLEANLINESS
Look at the surrounding environment of the school. Do not rely on all the information you read online. The school might be great in some areas but lacking in areas of cleanliness. We all know that when an environment is not clean in Nigeria, you are more likely to see rats, rodents, cockroaches, mosquitoes and even snakes! Make sure the school is clean. Inside and out. Don't forget they will also give your children lunch to eat. If the school is not clean, do you think their kitchen area will be any better? How hygienic are they really?
7. MAKE ENQUIRIES
Ask around. If you put the leg work in now, I can guarantee that you will have peace of mind when your children are at school. Again, do not rely on all the information you read on their website. Before you decide, personally go to the school yourself. Write a list of all the questions you would like to ask the head teacher. But don't stop there. Ask the neighbours or nearby institutions what they think about the children they see in the school. Are they well behaved? What about the teachers? You will be surprised with the amount of information you will get from the locals! They see all and know all.
8. DISCIPLINE
Find out about their discipline measures. What exactly do they do to your children when they misbehave? As a parent who went to Primary and 4 years of Secondary school in Nigeria, I am no stranger to the different discipline methods that Nigerian schools impose on children. There are different punishments for different ages. I think teachers in Nigeria are naturally harsh and smack children on impulse. It could range from anything from smacking with a cane to a ruler. I personally think it is unacceptable and barbaric. No one has a right to hit my child. Full stop. In other countries that teacher would be heavily penalised and face criminal charges for assault on a minor but unfortunately in Nigeria, it is widely accepted. Parents, please look for a school that has a no-touch policy. Meaning.... on no circumstance would they touch your child. If a child is naughty the teacher feels the extent of their naughty behaviour is too much for the time out in the corner, please call the parents. They will discipline their child themselves in their own way. There are a lot more effective methods to discipline a child in school, but that's a post for another day.
9. ANY SPECIAL NEEDS?
Finally, depending on your child, find out if that school will actually suit your child. Do you have a child that has some special needs? Find out if the school caters to children with special needs and who is in charge of that department? How is the exam process and how will your child be tested? If the school has no clue how to handle your child, look for another school that does. The last thing you want is a clever child under-performing because the school is not well equipped with the right resources and they have not employed a special needs teacher that can carefully and patiently attend to your child.
Finally, depending on your child, find out if that school will actually suit your child. Do you have a child that has some special needs? Find out if the school caters to children with special needs and who is in charge of that department? How is the exam process and how will your child be tested? If the school has no clue how to handle your child, look for another school that does. The last thing you want is a clever child under-performing because the school is not well equipped with the right resources and they have not employed a special needs teacher that can carefully and patiently attend to your child.
Hope this helps!
xoxo
Awesome... Thanks. This would indeed help.
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