The Honourable representing Oshimili South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, has identified inadequate parental involvement as a major factor responsible for the declining interest of children in education.
Speaking during a contemporary talk on children’s dwindling interest in education, Anyafulu said parents have a crucial role to play in shaping their children’s attitude towards learning, stressing that the foundation of a child’s education begins at home.
According to her, parents must be actively involved in the formative stages of their children’s lives before the responsibility extends to teachers and schools.
She urged parents to deliberately create time for their children by establishing routines that accommodate them despite their busy schedules.
The lawmaker also criticised some parents for confronting teachers whenever their children are disciplined or corrected in school.
She said such actions undermine the authority of teachers and reflect a failure by parents to properly perform their roles in raising responsible children.
“When a teacher corrects a child, parents go to school to fight. We have failed in our roles as parents,” she said.
On the role of the Ministry of Education in maintaining standards, Anyafulu said teachers in public schools are trained and qualified to perform their duties.
She, however, noted that public school teachers require adequate motivation to enable them to perform even better, while expressing concerns about the situation in some private schools.
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The lawmaker further linked the decline in children’s interest in education to the growing value placed on material possessions.
She described the development as a tragedy, noting that young people are increasingly becoming less content with what they have and are placing greater emphasis on material things.
Anyafulu called for a collective effort by parents, teachers, government and children to restore the value of education and ensure that young people remain focused on building a productive future.
She also advised children to take their education seriously, remain disciplined and avoid distractions that could negatively affect their future.