Not long ago, education was simple yet deeply meaningful. Children started school at 5 or 6 years old, and the reasons for that were as clear as daylight. Before formal schooling, a child first had to learn basic home activities, develop the strength to walk to and from school, and most importantly, gain a sense of identity—knowing their full name, parents, village, and siblings. They had time to play, explore, and develop a natural curiosity for learning before ever stepping into a classroom.
But today? Everything has changed.
Many parents now rush their children into school at just 2 or 3 years old, unable to explain why. We’ve been brainwashed into believing that education is solely about grades, pushing kids through the Baby Class, Middle Class, and Top Class—before they even reach Primary One. And then they actually “graduate” to the next level, as if they've just completed a meaningful milestone. What sense does that make? What are they learning in Top Class that couldn’t be taught in Primary One?
This system was not designed for our children—it was built by the private sector and the wealthy elite, who turned education into a business. And we, as parents, have fallen right into their trap, believing that a child's worth is measured by how early they start school or how well they perform on exams.
Back in the day, school was different. I remember sitting for my Primary Seven exams without endless cramming. I would attend my Social Studies lesson in the morning, go outside to play "Akarere," and then return in the afternoon for another subject. And yet, we still succeeded. Now, show me children from this generation who are more intelligent than those who studied in the 1980s—because true intelligence isn’t about exam scores, but about understanding life itself.
The saddest part? Parents have abandoned their role in raising their children. Many no longer teach them morals, responsibility, or social values. Instead, they offload them to schools, where they’re expected to be raised by teachers. Parents no longer cook—they order fast food, claiming they don’t have time. They are always busy, always rushing, always pushing their children away in the name of "education"—when in reality, they’re just seeking convenience.
We need to wake up. We need to redefine education—not as a race to start early but as a journey of meaningful learning and growth. Otherwise, we are not just burdening our children, we are failing future generations—and for that, nature will surely hold us accountable.
