A non-profit and non-governmental organization in Nigeria, A Mother’s Love Initiative (AMLi), has called for nationwide regulation of school entry age, coinciding with the observance of International Day for Education on January 24, 2024. AMLi, which advocates for equal rights and opportunities for African children in the digital realm while also standing against the rushed child syndrome, is working in collaboration with the Civil Society Actions Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA).
Barrister Hanatu A. Enwemadu, the founder and executive director of AMLi, emphasized the importance of focusing on the type of children who will create lasting peace in light of the global emphasis on children’s well-being through education, under the theme of Learning For Lasting Peace. She asserts that mentally stable and balanced children are those who have had the opportunity to grow and develop at their own natural pace.
Enwemadu stated, The mental health of children hinges on the appropriateness of school entry age. Children who are hurried through their learning and growth process eventually suffer from ‘The hurried child syndrome,’ which leads to psychological, social, and emotional imbalances.
AMLi is advocating for age-appropriate enrollment, suggesting that children should only be allowed to join classes that correspond with their age. Enwemadu stressed that the maturity, age, and psychological readiness of children in schools should concern everyone, as failure to adhere to these factors contributes to the ongoing learning crisis in Nigeria’s education system.
Moreover, Enwemadu called on the government to address the issue of parents parting with their children at an early age due to economic pressures. She believes that this practice must be stopped and urges Nigerians to be made aware of the implications of enrolling children who are underage, as it essentially rushes their formative years.
Enwemadu expressed her concern, stating, This practice is CHILD ABUSE and also results in traumatic experiences that have adverse effects and an overall impact on the adult the Nigerian Child grows into.
The appropriateness of maturity, age, and psychological readiness of children in schools should be a shared concern for all stakeholders, according to Enwemadu. Non-adherence to these factors significantly contributes to the learning crisis Nigeria is currently experiencing. Additionally, AMLi encourages development partners, donors, and non-governmental organizations to extend their interventions, both humanitarian and developmental, to other regions in the country.
By advocating for nationwide regulation of school entry age, AMLi aims to ensure the proper development, well-being, and education of Nigerian children. It underscores the importance of allowing children to grow and learn at their natural pace, promoting mental health and balanced development. Through these efforts, AMLi hopes to address the learning crisis impacting education in Nigeria and create a brighter future for all children.
