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10 signs it’s time to change your child’s school

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2 weeks ago

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Choosing the right school for your child is a vital decision that can impact their academic development. However, sometimes circumstances change, and what was once the perfect fit may no longer be suitable.

Let’s delve into the signs that indicate it’s time to consider changing your child’s school.

  1. Are The Child’s Grades Consistently Suffering? 

If you notice your child’s grades are consistently suffering, or they need more challenge, or if your child is consistently earning high grades without much effort or engagement, it’s crucial to take action.

These signs should not be ignored, as they could indicate the need for a change in your child’s school.

Look out for also :

– If they must be encouraged to take advanced courses or participate in challenging projects.

– Also, check if they express boredom or disengagement due to the ease of the curriculum.

– If the school’s teaching style or curriculum needs to be aligned with your child’s learning needs or preferences.

– If you’ve noticed a need for progress or growth in their academic skills or knowledge.

Then you may consider changing your child’s school. 

  1. Are There Social Concerns

Is your child facing issues of bullying, lack of friends, or social isolation?

If your child is experiencing physical, verbal, or cyberbullying that the school is not effectively addressing, or if they’re being consistently targeted, harassed, or intimidated by peers.

Furthermore, other indicators maybe if your child is excluded or ostracised by their peers.

Suppose they’re experiencing social anxiety or stress related to school if they’re not feeling a sense of belonging or connection to their school.

Would a different school offer your child a more supportive and inclusive environment?

Then, explore other school options prioritising social-emotional learning, inclusivity, and student well-being.

  1. Are There Signs Of Anxiety

Find out if the child is going through stress, or having a decreased enthusiasm for learning like the below:

– Increased worry or fear about attending school

– Avoidance behaviours, such as skipping school or refusing to participate in activities

– Increased irritability, mood swings, or emotional reactivity

– Difficulty concentrating or completing homework due to anxiety

– Loss of interest in favourite subjects or activities

– Lack of motivation or engagement in schoolwork

– Decreased curiosity or love for learning

– Feeling disconnected from the learning process.

– Expressing feelings of hopelessness or helplessness about school.

Remember that a child’s emotional health is crucial for their development and success.

If their emotional needs are not being met, it may be time to explore alternative schools.

Also, we suggest that you schedule a meeting with the teacher or school administration to discuss your concerns and potential solutions, or better still, explore other school options that prioritise emotional well-being, social-emotional learning, and student support.

  1. Check School Curriculum And Teaching Style

Consider the school’s curriculum and teaching style to see it it no longer aligns with your child’s needs or your values.

Here are some signs that a school’s curriculum or teaching style may not be the best fit for your child:

– The curriculum is too limited or lacks diversity or depth.

– The teaching style must be more flexible and traditional, accommodating different learning styles or needs.

– The curriculum needs to focus more on standardised testing, leaving little room for creativity or critical thinking.

– The curriculum needs to provide adequate opportunities for hands-on learning, project-based learning, or real-world applications.

– The teachers could be more engaging, enthusiastic, and supportive.

– Teachers must use technology effectively or incorporate modern tools and resources. 

Then, are there other schools that offer a more comprehensive, engaging, or flexible curriculum? That is when you should consider a change of school!

  1. Poor Communication With Teachers Or Administrators

Firstly, parents should consider  joining the PTA or attending school board meetings to advocate for improved communication and parent involvement, but in a situation where this isn’t forthcoming, like:

– Feeling left about important school events, deadlines, or changes.

– Difficulty scheduling meetings or getting face-time with teachers or administrators.

– Feeling like your concerns or questions need to be taken more seriously.

Due to these, other schools prioritising parent-teacher communication and collaboration should be considered. 

Other concerns to look out for include: 

  1. Safety Concerns

Some other safety concerns to watch out for are bullying, violence, or unsatisfactory campus security.

  1. Extracurricular Opportunities

Check if there is limited or no access to activities that foster your child’s interests.

  1. School Culture

Find out if there is a toxic or unsupportive environment that affects your child’s self-esteem.

  1. Distance And Logistics

Also, you need to consider whether a new location or changes in work schedule will affect your ability to take the child to school. 

  1. Can School Support Child’s Unique Learning Style

If the school can’t accommodate your child’s unique learning style, that may just be a tip you need to consider changing the child’s school. 

Remember, changing schools can be a difficult decision, but sometimes it’s necessary for your child’s growth and well-being.

Really, you’re not alone in this journey, and there are resources and support available to help you navigate this process.

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Education

JAMB waives post-UTME for PWDs, plans to admit 825,000 by 2029

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14 hours ago

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September 18, 2024 10:59 am

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) plans to admit 825,000 people with disability (PWD) by 2029.

The board is hosting education stakeholders and foreign nationals at the Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED) on September 17 and 18.

Yusuf Sununu, the minister of state for education, spoke at the conference in Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday.

He said JAMB, at the 67th National Council on Education meeting in December 2023, obtained approval to waive post-UTME for PWDs.

“This initiative, together with the ambitious target to enrol 825,000 students with disabilities cumulatively over the next five years, demonstrates our unwavering commitment to realizing equal access to education,” he said.

“All tertiary institutions in Nigeria are to offer admissions to all candidates with disabilities who possess minimum admissible scores into the programmes of their choice after writing UTME.”

At ARCEAHED, stakeholders discussed emerging issues on access to higher education and economic empowerment for PWDs.

Sununu said it is the responsibility of governments, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that PWDs are not left behind.

He said stakeholder interventions must focus on three areas, including the need to create inclusive education infrastructure, empower PWDs through economic inclusion, and embark on policy advocacy through the implementation of laws protecting PWD rights.

“We have to create opportunities between institutions of education, industries, and governments to develop ways that would take persons with disabilities from education to employment,” the minister said.

“The enactment and implementation of laws to protect the rights of persons with disabilities ensuring they have equal access to education, health, and employment facilities are very essential.

“Tertiary institutions should not only be admitting students with disabilities.

“They should be taking absolute care about accessibility in their campuses through the addition of necessary ramps, elevators, assistive technologies, and other accommodations that would make learning possible and comfortable for all.

“Teaching aids such as braille, interpreters in sign language, and digital materials prepared for various skills should be provided.”

The regional conference will host participants from African countries including Ethiopia, Malawi, and Egypt.

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Education

Oyo releases 2024 screening results for School of Science

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2 days ago

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September 17, 2024 12:53 pm

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The Oyo State Government has announced the release of the 2024 screening and placement results for primary six pupils transitioning into Junior Secondary Schools and Schools of Science.

In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Salihu Adelabu, in Ibadan on Tuesday, it was stated: “Head Teachers/Principals should visit their respective Local Inspector of Education offices to collect the screening/placement results.”

The statement further noted that pupils transitioning to the Schools of Science are expected to visit their respective science schools to obtain results.

The Commissioner added that the results were released last week.

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Education

Lagos state government justifies boarding fee hike for student welfare

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2 days ago

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September 17, 2024 9:54 am

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The Lagos State Government says an increase in boarding fees in its model colleges is inevitable, to ensure better welfare of the students.

This was contained in a statement on Monday by the state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the Ministry, Mr Ganiu Lawal.

Lawal noted that students in the boarding schools were over one per cent of the entire basic and secondary school student population in public schools in the state.

According to Lawal, the N35,000 boarding fee being paid since 2021 is unrealistic in 2024.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Lagos State Government approved the upward review of boarding fees payable in all public boarding schools in Lagos State.

The review of boarding fees in all public secondary schools in Lagos State is with effect from the 2024/2025 session.

The newly approved fee is N100,000 only and starts from the session resuming on Sept. 15, 2024.

“The Ministry is aware of dissenting views by some parents to the inevitable increase in boarding fees in our model colleges.

“This was not an easy decision, but the welfare of the children is a priority for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Lagos State Government.

“Since enrolment of a child into a boarding school is an individual choice for every parent, they are expected to pay boarding fees.

“The boarding fee is paid every term and it is used basically for feeding, janitorial and other miscellaneous cost related to keeping them in the hostels per term,” Lawal said.

Lawal explained that the schools took care of energy cost on fuel and cooking gas, which are essential for preparing the students’ meals.

“The model college students enjoy all other privileges of free education vis a vis provision of education infrastructure, free tuition, technology support (free devices).

“Also provision of adequate security in schools and payment of terminal examination fees; the state government pays WAEC fees for all public school students.

“Ideally, none of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18 years with N35,000 for 3 months.

“A comparative analysis of Federal and state public schools with boarding facilities across the country shows Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is still very considerate with the reviewed rate in spite of the incomparable cost of food and other expenses,” he said.

Lawal noted that nutritious food was not just for physical growth but also for mental alertness, adding that the Ministry would not want any boarding student to look gaunt or lack the skill of critical thinking.

He stressed that the government took responsibility for the health and well-being of the students while in school, but added that the government would require full cooperation of all stakeholders to do this.

The ministry official, therefore, enjoined parents to see reasons with the state government and show understanding for the sake of the children.

Recall that the LASG provides free education in 1,021 primary schools, 369 junior secondary and 329 senior secondary schools, which include 32 model colleges across the State.

All the model colleges are boarding schools, except for Vetland Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, which operate day.

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