Good Pikin for House, Bad Pikin for School


For the record, Pikin means "Child."  Straight from the Nigerian Pidgin English dictionary ... if such a thing exists.

You know it is possible for a child from a good background, with "proper home training" like we say, to stray.  And the place where the child manifests that waywardness is in school.

Of course, when a child misbehaves (and it doesn't even matter whether it's a child in primary or secondary school), everybody automatically starts pointing fingers.  If a young adult is misbehaving at the university level, then s/he is an "agbaya."*  There's no other word for it because we assume that at that level you're mature enough to tell right from wrong and make the right choices.

But for primary and secondary school students (yes, I left out the nursery school students because at that age, they are expected to be naughty), when the finger pointing starts, the blame ultimately falls on the parents.  Yes, peer pressure might be a factor, but parents are still held responsible for their children's actions.  That's just the way it works.  Transferring the blame to the teachers makes no sense.

Why?

If the teacher observes a student misbehaving in school, the teacher and/or school authorities can discipline the child accordingly.  But guess what? They will still have to report this to the parents to "take over" the discipline of the child and take necessary action.

In short, no one can raise your child(ren) for you.  Ultimately, parents must take responsibility for their children's actions, while they're still under their roof.

What do you think? Agree or Disagree? Please share your thoughts.

*Agbaya = an adult acting like a child (Yoruba term)

*Image Source: Pinterest

Welcome back! You've been thoroughly missed!

Dayo

Dayo: *wipes a tear of gratitude* Thanks so much for the welcome back! I certainly missed you too! :D

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