By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Nigerians have expressed divergent opinions following a video of a mother appealing to the Lagos State Ministry of Education over what she describes as an “overstimulating” assignment workload being imposed on schoolchildren.
In a video posted on her TikTok account, #apieceofjazz, on Tuesday, February 10, the woman, identified as Chidi Ebere, was seen kneeling as she lamented the physical and mental toll that the daily multiple assignments are taking on her children.
Speaking in a mix of English and Pidgin, the mother appealed to schools, particularly in the Lekki area of the state, noting that her children are being overwhelmed by as many as six assignments daily.
She said, “The assignment is becoming too much. We don tire, oh.
“We are getting six assignments every single day. Our children are overstimulated. When they come back home, they don’t even want to write because they are tired.”
She argued that after waking up at 6:00 am and staying in school until 4:00 p.m., schoolchildren have little time for rest or actual learning before being plunged into hours of homework.
The woman said: “They’ve been in school all day. They come back, they have six, four, five assignments. Guess what? They’ll finish their assignments, go to bed, wake up by six; in school, they’re learning. They will come back. You are giving them six assignments, five assignments.
“They’re acting like zombies. They wake up by six, stay in school till four, come back, and do assignments. Sleep and wake up. What is going to happen? Six assignments every day. Pikin wey I born 2020 na hin una pack six assignments give?”
Speaking on the complexity of school projects, the mother claimed some of them are often beyond the developmental stage of the children and end up being done by the parents.
“Look at me. I wan nearly craze because I just finished doing a project for my five-year-old. The project is like an oil company project. What is the problem? Abeg, make una help us oh. Lagos State government, look into it,” she said.
She noted that for working parents who face Lagos traffic, the limited time available in the evening is entirely consumed by schoolwork, with little time for rest.
She said, “We go to work, we come back, there’s traffic. Just the small time to do assignments, you’re giving them six assignments. Some of these children come back by three, some come back by five. They’re tired, and you’re giving them seven assignments. What is the problem? What is going on?
“Even if the parent is jobless, a sit-at-home mum will clean, will cook, will do everything. At this point, these children are overstimulated. They’re not even learning again; they’re just going through classes and going through school.”
Reacting to the video, some Nigerians shared similar experiences across several social media platforms, stressing that such academic workload takes a toll on their children.
In a reaction shared on X, @ChristyAde36125 wrote, “It is not only Lagos State. I reside in Ogun State, that is what we face every day. We don’t finish assignments until 9 or 10 pm. The Ministry of Education should please see to it.”
@MisterSojay added, “I can relate ooo. I even noticed that some assignments are never marked because the teachers also get tired of marking the too many assignments. The school management should seriously look into this. One assignment is always better (with few questions oo).
Also, @philips45 said, “At times when my wife wakes my 4yrs old daughter around 6 am for school, I watch my little pumpkin struggling cuz she still feels sleepy. Sometimes am like, please let her sleep jare, what’s the hurry, pikin wey go go school tire.”
Some other reactions by Facebook users also shared the same sentiments. One of them, Siver A Chukwudi, wrote, “My daughter of two years old, four assignments daily. I will be like na me they give this one.”
Oyetakin Akinloye added, “Those assignments should be during the weekend or midterm break. Some of these students still go to lessons after sch. Imagine a 5yr old student assignment to divide using long division method. Some students in institutions don’t even know it.”
Also, Isu Wisdom Godwin said, “The most annoying part is that these kids will be in school from 7 am to 5 pm and when they’re coming back you will pack 5 to 7 assignments give them.”
However, some others dismissed the concerns, arguing that such multiple assignments will keep the pupils engaged and give them little or no time to indulge in frivolities.
They also noted that parents would still complain if their children were not given assignments at home.
In a tweet, @soulman2011 said, “Some parents can never be satisfied. If you reduce their activities or give them none at all, they will still complain that the children have too much free time. Keep your children busy to save yourself stress. They have weekends to play.”
@saleng1 added, “Do u know the mental capabilities of these generation children? If they can handle devices effortlessly at such tender ages, you’re definitely overthinking the assignments…don’t turn them to lazy kids. They’ll do it, and you’ll guide them.”
Also, @Prinz_Land said, “May God not give u this type of mother. Assignment is good. And is for the interest of the child. If u don’t want an assignment, send your child to a government school.
On Facebook, Mal Umar Musa said, “Yes, so that no time to watch TV and other nonsense! Kudos to those people who really know the value of education.”
Israel Ola added, “If the school did not give them assignments, the same parent will still complain but the assignments given to the children keep them busy instead of roaming the street or playing computer on phone.”
In addition, Elijah Akindele wrote, “Let it be part of them. Or you want them to be playing around or sell groundnuts for you ni?”
