Recently, a JSS 1 female student of Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Ado-Ekiti, sued the Ekiti State Government and the principal over her suspension for coming to school with an unapproved hairstyle. Nigerians express their views on the issue.
Abubakar Hamisu Kamagata, 28, traditional ruler, Kano
As a responsible father, I won’t even allow my daughter to style her hair in a manner that is contrary to the norms and values of my society. But if my negligence leads to this, I would sit her down and tell her point blank that what she did was not right. Then I would introduce her to some role models.
Parents are the first to discipline their kids and make them responsible, not the other way round.
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Zakiyyu Muhammad, 33, public servant, Jigawa
While Nigeria and many other developing countries are trying very hard to copy the western world culture, our country still has its culture and values intact when it comes to disciplining erring students.
The case of this student is somehow unique. The suspension of the student, which was triggered by the conduct of her parents, was the more reason the matter was taken to court. While one cannot easily ascertain the level of involvement of the parents in the allegations of assault against the teachers, taking the matter to court is totally wrong and avoidable.
Sekyen Obadiah, housewife, Kaduna
As a parent, it is expected that she makes sure her girl child is dressed appropriately before leaving the house for school, and this includes her hairstyle.
For a student to sue her principal and government simply shows a lack of proper upbringing and mentorship. It’s like telling the world that the school system should not include discipline.
Alhaji Rabiu Hamidu, business man, Kaduna
It is not proper for a student to take such action. She was sent to school to also learn good character. I see nothing wrong with the principal asking her to adopt a decent hairstyle. I don’t support her going to court against her principal and government.
Wasiu Ibrahim, 30, civil servant, Ado-Ekiti
It is very wrong on the part of the parents to take such action. Maybe they don’t want the child to go to school again. The action is an act of indiscipline by the parents who even owe the child the duty for moral education and culture by helping her to dress properly.
A school is not a marketplace for flamboyancy.
I think they need money and they think they can get it from the government. That is why they went to court seeking N15m damages.
Olawale Kehinde, 43, civil servant, Ado-Ekiti
I don’t think what the parents have done is right. They need to know that schools also have their rules and regulations and students are supposed to abide by them. Decent dressing is a part of the rules. They are not right in their action. They want to create problems for the child at this early stage in life. After invading the school and beating up teachers, they still went to court. The child would have to face the actions of her parents. Demanding for such an amount means that they don’t like the future of their child in continuing her education in that school for now.
Ronke Samo, 52, public servant, Ado-Ekiti
As a disciplinarian, I will never support this. This is why we are recording so much decadence in our educational institutions.
Parents’ compromise is one of the reasons teachers can’t discipline their children in school and teach the good morals which also accounts for their misdemeanours both at home and school.
Parents going to school to beat up teachers who teach good morals apart from curricula contents is too bad. They are laying a bad precedence.
Sabiu Musa Haruna, 29, teacher, Kano
It is socially, morally, psychologically and intellectually wrong for a well-mannered and culturally decent student to take such appalling actions.
School is not only a place to learn but also a place where good behaviours and characters are taught. Charity begins at home. As matter of fact, I can only consider the action as irresponsible.
Moses Alao, 38, HR Staff, Lagos
I believe that the school has every right to correct a child or discipline her if she flouts any rule. As a student of the school, the school is accountable for her conducts. Therefore, she should abide by its rules. Her parents supporting her for flouting a school rule is only causing more harm.
Malam Salis Umar, Islamic teacher, Mahuta, Kaduna
Good child upbringing is very important. But this cannot be achieved alone without school’s inputs. I appeal to community as well as religious and traditional leaders to enforce discipline so that no student would imitate this attitude.
Odufa Dokpesi, 40, Entrepreneur, Lagos
I see no reason a parent would be supporting a child who has broken the school rules. The school has every right to deny the child access to it if she fails to obey its code of conduct. Besides, condoning such behaviour by one student would open the doors of disobedience for other students to break the school’s rules and regulations and get away with it.
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