Introduction: “Na only teacher work be this?”
One Saturday morning in Lagos, I attended a Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) meeting at a public primary school. The headteacher stood up to address the parents about punctuality, homework, and the importance of reading at home.
But one father raised his hand and asked bluntly:
“Madam, is it not the work of the teacher to teach? We parents are hustling every day to put food on the table. We don’t have time for homework or all these reading things. Na teacher work be this!”
The hall went quiet. Some parents nodded in agreement, others shook their heads. The headteacher, clearly frustrated, replied:
“Education is not complete without parents. Teachers can only do so much. Parents are the first teachers of a child.”
That statement hit me deeply. Because it’s true — no matter how dedicated teachers are, the success of a child in primary school depends heavily on the role of parents.
In Nigeria, where our schools are often underfunded, overcrowded, or stretched thin, the role of parents becomes even more critical. Yet, many parents do not fully understand how powerful their involvement can be.
This blog post will explore, in detail, the role of parents in primary school education in Nigeria, drawing from real-life experiences, cultural situations, and practical examples. By the end, I hope Nigerian parents, teachers, and communities will see that education is a shared responsibility, not just the work of teachers.
The Foundation of Primary Education in Nigeria
Primary school is where the building blocks of education are laid. It is where children learn to:
- Read and write (literacy)
- Count and solve simple problems (numeracy)
- Socialize with peers
- Develop habits of discipline and responsibility
- Discover their strengths and weaknesses
But as every Nigerian parent knows, these things don’t stop once a child leaves school for the day. A child spends more time at home than in the classroom, which means the environment at home can either support or undermine what is taught in school.
Think about it: a child spends roughly 6 hours in school each day, 5 days a week. That’s about 30 hours a week. But at home, the same child spends close to 138 hours a week. That’s more than four times the classroom time.
So, if parents are not actively involved, children may struggle — no matter how hardworking the teacher is.
Real-Life Nigerian Experiences of Parental Involvement
Story 1: The Homework Struggle in Abuja
I know a mother in Abuja who works as a banker. Her Primary 3 daughter often comes home with homework, but because the mother returns late from work, the child usually sleeps without doing it. After several warnings from the teacher, the mother hired a lesson teacher.
Within three months, the child’s performance improved. But the mother later admitted: “I realized it wasn’t just about the lesson teacher. When I sat down with her, even for 20 minutes on weekends, to ask about what she learned in school, her confidence grew more than the lesson teacher alone could do.”
This shows that children don’t just need homework help — they need parental attention.
Story 2: Rural Kwara Village – Father’s Encouragement
In a small village in Kwara State, a father who never went to school himself makes it a point to walk his son to school every morning. When asked why, he said:
“I want him to know that I value his education, even if I didn’t have the chance. My presence tells him school is important.”
That child is one of the most punctual in the class. Sometimes, parental support is not about money or advanced knowledge — it’s about showing up.
Story 3: The Lagos Parent Who Overdid It
On the flip side, there was a father in Lagos who insisted on supervising his son’s homework every night. But instead of helping, he would get angry, shout, and sometimes even beat the boy for making mistakes. The boy became anxious about homework and dreaded school.
The teacher later explained to the father that parental involvement should encourage, not intimidate. Parents must balance discipline with patience.
Key Roles Parents Play in Primary Education
Now let’s break down the specific roles parents should play in supporting their children’s education in Nigeria.
1. Providing Basic Needs
Education cannot thrive if a child’s basic needs are not met. Nigerian parents must ensure children have:
- Proper meals (so they don’t sleep in class from hunger)
- Clean uniforms and school supplies
- A safe environment to rest and study
A hungry or tired child cannot concentrate, no matter how good the teacher is.
2. Supporting Homework and Study Time
Homework is an extension of classwork. Parents don’t need to know all the answers, but they should:
- Provide a quiet space for study
- Check that homework is done
- Encourage reading beyond textbooks
For example, a parent in Enugu who reads one storybook per week with her child has seen her child’s vocabulary expand faster than classmates.
3. Communication with Teachers
In Nigeria, many parents only go to school when their child is in trouble. But regular communication with teachers helps parents know:
- Their child’s strengths and weaknesses
- How to support at home
- Any behavioral issues
Parents who attend PTA meetings, pick report cards seriously, and ask teachers questions are better positioned to guide their children.
4. Encouraging Reading Culture
Sadly, Nigeria has been described as having a “poor reading culture.” Parents can help change this by:
- Buying simple storybooks in English or local languages
- Reading to children before bed
- Encouraging children to read aloud daily
Even in rural areas, oral storytelling in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Tiv, or any local language builds vocabulary and imagination.
5. Modeling Discipline and Values
Children learn more from what they see than what they are told. If a parent lies, cheats, or skips responsibilities, the child learns the same. Parents must model honesty, discipline, respect, and hard work.
A father who keeps his promises teaches his child to value responsibility more than any classroom lecture.
6. Encouraging Curiosity and Creativity
Parents should not dismiss their children’s questions. When a child asks, “Daddy, why is the sky blue?” or “Mummy, how does a car move?” the worst answer is “Don’t disturb me.”
Encouraging curiosity develops critical thinking, which is essential for lifelong learning.
7. Supporting Attendance and Punctuality
Some Nigerian children come late or miss school because parents prioritize market trips, farm work, or errands over school. A child who misses lessons regularly falls behind. Parents must ensure punctuality and regular attendance.
8. Financial Sacrifice for Education
Even though Nigeria has public schools, many parents still face costs like uniforms, books, and levies. Parents who make education a priority often reap the rewards.
I once heard a trader in Onitsha say: “I will sell everything to make sure my child finishes school. That is the inheritance I can give him.”
Nigerian Challenges to Parental Involvement
It would be unfair to talk about the role of parents without acknowledging the real challenges Nigerian parents face.
- Economic Pressure: Many parents are struggling financially and focus on survival before education.
- Illiteracy: Some parents never went to school themselves and feel unable to help with homework.
- Cultural Beliefs: In some communities, especially in the past, boys’ education was prioritized over girls’.
- Busy Work Schedules: Urban parents working long hours often have little time for children.
- Large Families: With many children, giving each child attention becomes harder.
- Migration/Urbanization: In cities like Lagos and Abuja, families may be disconnected from community support systems.
Overcoming These Challenges: Nigerian Solutions
- Time Management: Even busy parents can dedicate 15 minutes daily to ask children about school.
- Community Support: Neighbors, elder siblings, and religious groups can support children’s learning.
- Use of Local Language: Parents who are not literate in English can still teach morals, discipline, and critical thinking in their native language.
- Affordable Resources: Parents can buy second-hand books or borrow from local libraries.
- PTA Engagement: Parents can use PTA meetings to learn how to support their children better.
Real Nigerian Success Stories
- In Kano, a father who couldn’t read English still sat with his daughter during homework time, simply listening as she read aloud. The girl later became one of the top students in her class, motivated by her father’s interest.
- In Lagos, a mother who worked as a petty trader sacrificed daily to save for her son’s books. That boy is now in secondary school on scholarship.
- In Enugu, a group of parents formed a reading club where children gather every Saturday to read stories in Igbo and English. Literacy levels in that community improved noticeably.
The Partnership Between Parents and Schools
Education works best when teachers and parents see themselves as partners, not opponents. In Nigeria, this partnership is often weak, but it can be strengthened by:
- Parents respecting teachers’ professional input
- Teachers understanding parents’ struggles
- Schools creating more platforms for parent involvement (open days, family reading days, etc.)
A Vision for Nigerian Primary Education with Active Parents
Imagine a Nigeria where:
- Every parent, rich or poor, values education as the best inheritance.
- PTA meetings are not just about levies but about how to help children succeed.
- Fathers are as involved as mothers in homework and moral guidance.
- Parents read bedtime stories in Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Tiv, or English every night.
- Children grow up knowing that both their parents and teachers are united in supporting them.
Such a Nigeria will raise confident, disciplined, and intelligent leaders of tomorrow.
Conclusion: Parents Are the First and Forever Teachers
There’s an Igbo proverb that says: “Nne na nna bụ akwukwo mbụ nwa gara.” (“Parents are the first school a child attends.”)
Teachers may light the lamp of knowledge, but parents provide the oil that keeps it burning. No matter the challenges, Nigerian parents must understand that their role in primary education cannot be delegated fully to teachers or schools.
To every parent reading this on My Academics Blog:
- Ask your child what they learned today.
- Sit with them for a few minutes over homework.
- Encourage reading.
- Model discipline.
- Attend school meetings.
You don’t have to be rich, highly educated, or have plenty of time. What matters most is your presence, encouragement, and consistency.
Together, teachers and parents can build the kind of foundation that will make Nigerian children not only pass exams but also thrive in life.