Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Experts Call on FG to Sign Hurried Child Syndrome Bill into Law

POSTED ON June 28, 2024 •   EDUCATION      BY Benedicta Bassey
Educational stakeholders at the one day sensitization program on the need to end hurried child syndrome in Lagos / Photo credit: Rocketparrot News

Some experts, including Hanatu Enwemadu, Executive Director of A Mother’s Love Initiative, are urging the federal government, educational stakeholders, and relevant agencies to tackle the escalating issue of 'The Hurried Child Syndrome' (THCS) in schools.

Enwemadu, a lawyer, highlighted that enrolling underage children in schools negatively affects their overall well-being. She called for the federal government to enact laws preventing such practices to ensure the proper growth and development of Nigerian children.

In partnership with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) and Kosofe School Basic Management Committee (SBMC), A Mother’s Love Initiative organized a one-day sensitization program. This event aimed to educate stakeholders on the necessity of curbing THCS.

Enwemadu advised parents to allow their children to develop naturally before enrolling them in schools, noting that the pressure to create “super kids” forces children into premature adulthood.

"Research indicates that rushing children through childhood impacts their social and emotional development, which can have long-term effects,"Enwemadu  stated. "We see children as young as eight in secondary schools after skipping several years of primary education, and this has significant implications for the child, our society, and the world at large. We must let Nigerian children grow.”

She urged the federal government to pass a law making it a crime to admit underage children into schools. "Policies are in place, but we are advocating that it be signed into law," Enwemadu emphasized.

 "Parents, the government, and education stakeholders must understand the need to end this practice."

Enwemadu also drew attention to broader societal issues affecting children in Nigeria, such as abductions and exposure to various vices, advocating for child-focused interventions. Since its inception , A Mother’s Love Initiative has aimed to change the narrative for Nigerian children through advocacy, psycho-education, preventive and remedial interventions, reorientation, professional counseling, documentaries, and community support services.

In his welcome address, Hon. Babatunde Shoneye, Education Secretary of Kosofe LGEA, cautioned against The hurried child practice, underaged enrollment and urged stakeholders to develop strategies to protect the mental health of school children for a better future.

Mr. Oladapo Dada, a technical expert and educational psychologist, described THCS as a phenomenon characterized by excessive pressures and expectations on children, leading to adverse physical, emotional, and social consequences.

He noted that inadequate human resources, decreased productivity, and rising social vices are among the effects of THCS.

Dada called for the integration of emotional health into the curriculum and the enactment of supportive laws as remedies.

The Chairman of SBMC, Mr. Odeyemi Richard, affirmed Kosofe LGEA's commitment to promoting the message at the federal level, urging all stakeholders to collaborate to eliminate THCS.

"This program is crucial. We must ensure our society is free from The hurried child syndrome and sharp practices," Richard stated. 

"Kosofe will champion this cause at both the Lagos State and federal levels."

This call to action underscores the urgency for collaborative efforts to safeguard the well-being of Nigerian children and ensure their healthy development.

READ ALSO
UNIUYO Medical Lecturers Begin Indefinite Strike over VC appointment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

Medical lecturers at the University of Uyo, affiliated with the Medical and Dental Consultants Assoc...

READ ALSO
Canada Tightens PGWP Eligibility, New Fields of Study Added, Others Removed
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 29, 2025 0

Canadian authorities have made it more difficult for international students to qualify for post-grad...

READ ALSO
UTME Mop-Up Sees Over 80% Absenteeism Amid Security Measures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 28, 2025 0

Over 80% of the 98,232 candidates eligible for Saturday's nationwide mop-up Unified Tertiary Matricu...

READ ALSO
EFCC Urges Students to Shun Internet Fraud, Embrace Positive Online Ventures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Ni...

READ ALSO
JAMB Schedules 2025 UTME Mop-Up Exam for June 28, 2025
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has scheduled the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matricul...

READ ALSO
Nigerian Rectors Advocate for AI Integration in Technical Training
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

The Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, and the Rector of the Federal Polytech...

READ ALSO
House of Representatives Exonerates Togo from Fraudulent Certificate Accusations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

The House of Representatives has cleared the Republic of Togo from any accusations related to the is...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Signs Bills for New Educational Institutions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 17, 2025 0

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has enacted three bills sponsored by Deputy Speaker of the House of Repr...

OUR CHANNELS:

Nigerian States Accumulate N417.7 Billion in Domestic Debt Amid Rising FAAC Revenue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

At least 10 Nigerian states have cumulatively increased their domestic debt by N417.7 billion from t...


Governor Otti Facilitates Release of Inmates After 26 Years
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Saturday welcomed three Nigerians who were released after spendi...


Tinubu Pledges to Eliminate Bureaucratic Hurdles in Agriculture During Bilateral Talks with Brazil
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu expressed his commitment on Saturday to his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio...


Sowore Condemns Tenure Extensions of Senior Security Officials for Violating 35-Year Service Limit
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 7, 2025 0

Human rights advocate and ex-presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, has criticized the ongoing tenur...


Eight Dead, Eight Injured as Commercial Bus Crashes into Truck
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

Just 48 hours after a road accident in Ogun State resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, another...


Nigerian Investors Launch $5 Billion Cooperative Trust Fund to Empower MSMEs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

A coalition of Nigerian investors has introduced a Cooperative Trust Fund valued at $5 billion, aime...


Nnamdi Kanu's Release Not a Condition for South-East Support of Tinubu- Umahi
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

In light of calls for the release of the detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous Peopl...


Real Madrid Edges Borussia Dortmund 3–2 in Thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Clash
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

Real Madrid emerged victorious from a heart-stopping 3–2 thriller against Borussia Dortmund in...


NCDC Reports 781 Confirmed Lassa Fever Cases in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

Nigeria has reported 145 fatalities attributed to Lassa fever, which corresponds to a case fatality...


Flood: 27 Lives Lost, Hundreds Displaced Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts in Kerr County
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead, with many more displaced due to flash flooding in Kerr...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu