Parents differ on summer holiday lessons for children

Some parents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed diverse views on either enrolling their children into summer schools or learning a vocational skill.

The parents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, in Abuja, that although the holidays were met for the children to relax but they needed to put their time in good use.

Mrs Charity Morgan, a mother of three, said her children usually go to learn some skills every summer holidays.

”For me, I am going to make this holiday a relaxation period for my kids; I will make them read their books at intervals.

“I have a daughter who wants to visit business places to know how things are being operated, “she said.

According to her, my daughter wants to be more eloquent, confident in public and she plans to achieve that this holiday.

“She wants to visit the banking sector to get the real feelings of how these things work.

“I have made some inquiries and I will take her to the bank,” she said.

Morgan added that her other children want to continue with the photography trainings which they started before the school session.

Similarly, Mrs Chinonye Nwokenna, a mother of four, said she did not intend enrolling her children in any summer school as it was a time for them to relax.

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Nwokenna said she planned on making her girls learn how to sew this holiday as she was already in that field.

“I wanted them to learn a skill and this holiday is a good opportunity for them to learn something.

“I want them to learn how to sew and cut, at least in a week for like four days, maybe from Monday till Thursday.

“By the time the holidays come to an end, they must have gotten good knowledge on sewing to some extent,” she said.

Nwokenna added that even after the holiday, her daughters would continue practicing sewing but it would be on weekends.

Mr Atomore John, a child activist, said a child who was slow in learning academically could be enrolled in summer schools.

He added that it would help them inculcate and absorb the knowledge which they might be finding hard to assimilate.

John said that learning a vocational skill was advisable for children who were fast learners and have passion.

“For a child who has been on the academic space for a longer period and is a fast learner, the summer school may not be necessary.

“At the end, we know that they will still come out good whenever the term resumes.

“For such a child, learning a vocational skill is advised and will be a great Idea.

“In all these, we just need a balance and it’s the duty of parents or guardians to create such balance,” he said.