Following the directive by the Kaduna State Government to all public primary and secondary schools in the state to migrate to four working days, residents of Zaria have expressed mixed feelings on the decision.
Speaking with Daily Trust, a civil servant with Zaria Local Government Council, Halliru Iro, while expressing displeasure, said it was a sign that the present administration might have rolled out another plan to sabotage the education of the downtrodden.
He said at a time when there is a wide education gap between the north and south, it is unthinkable to fathom that any government in northern Nigeria will contemplate reducing school days.
A banker and father of two, Micheal Elegbe, however, expressed satisfaction with the directive saying he would have a day off from shuttling between his bank to his children’s school, which he said is stressful considering the distance.
According to him, the development will in no way affect the education of the children, saying the cognitive ability of a child is not determined by the number of times he/she attends school.
“What is important is to ensure that a child is enrolled in a good school with quality teachers that can drill the children in academic excellence,” he argued.
Ibrahim Ado, a retiree, however, is unhappy that the decision will disrupt his day of rest. “I only have time to fully relax when the children are in school.
“Now that they will be attending school for only four days a week, I will have three straight days of disturbance especially from the little children.”
Also commenting, a nursing mother and staff of the Federal College of Education, Zaria, Dr Habiba Mukhtar, said she was yet to fully comprehend the directive as to whether it will involve private schools where her children are studying or not.
“How can the government take a hasty decision when despite the normal school days, parents still sponsor children to get extra lessons, all in a bid to bridge the education gap.”
Dr Mukhtar who is an educationist also faulted the policy saying it lacks “professional guide,” and advised the government to give it a second thought.
In her opinion, a maize seller in Gyellesu, Zaria, Mrs Theresa Johnson said such a decision would increase the stress of the family, especially mothers.
She said mothers will have to contend with additional moral and domestic responsibilities of the children when they spend more time at home.
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