Education experts have called for a complete reform of Nigeria’s boarding school system.
Victoria Vanni-Sodeinde, education expert and chief executive of the School Medics Consulting stated this at the school symposium held in Abuja.
Vanni-Sodeinde said the reforms were necessary because the dynamics that governed boarding house administration in recent years was no longer feasible.
She also noted that based on recent research, many parents were using the boarding schools as an escape route from their parenting duties.
“Nigeria’s boarding school system is gradually losing touch with the changing attitudes and behaviours of school children. Many boarding house administrators do not pay attention to the conduct of boarding students and as a result, we see rising cases of bullying, aggression and withdrawal syndrome. This must change.
“Parents re not left out. They must focus on the issues and what is best for their children. Parents must move away from elite pressure to enroll their children in schools that have high social standing,” Vanni-Sodeinde added.
Symposium
Vanni-Sodeinde said the 2022 school symposium which had as its theme ‘Thinking Schools Exhibition,’ was geared towards improving the capacity of the teaching and learning standards of schools within and outside the FCT to respond to the learning needs of wards.
“The impression a lot of people have about the Abuja education is less evolved and topic-focused. Rather, it is driven by popularity and public perception.
“We are determined to change that wrong perspective and get everyone within the community to focus on those key issues that directly impact effective learning,” she said.
The symposium brought together school proprietors, principals, teachers as well as parents.
It featured schools parade and exhibiton, breakout meetings as well as train-the-teacher sessions.
