Shaping Tomorrow’s Classrooms Today – CPRG Commentary
“Learning must be developmentally appropriate. Pushing children into overstimulation, often a byproduct of adult burnout isn’t just stressful; it’s a terrifying danger to their growth.
Protect the childhood, don’t rush the process.”
– GET CPRG
A viral TikTok video from @apieceofjazz has captured the hearts and frustrations of parents across Lagos. In it, a mother kneels in distress, pleading with schools and the Lagos State Government over the relentless burden of up to six or seven daily assignments on young children. After rising at 6am and enduring school until 4pm, these pupils return home to hours of homework, leaving scant time for rest, play, or family. This heartfelt outcry resonates deeply, spotlighting a growing crisis: the overload on Lagos school children.
Enhancing Access and Inclusion – CPRG Commentary
In Lagos and beyond, extended hours and excessive assignments are commonplace, particularly in private schools in areas like Lekki. Parents report children grappling with overstimulation, fatigue, and diminished joy in learning. Yet, research underscores that true educational success hinges on developmentally appropriate practices those attuned to children’s ages, needs, and natural rhythms.
Playful learning, for instance, is not a luxury but a cornerstone of development. Studies from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child reveal that unstructured play and balanced routines enhance self-regulation, creativity, emotional resilience, and even academic skills like reading and mathematics. Excessive homework, conversely, correlates with reduced attention spans, sleep deprivation, and heightened stress outcomes that undermine the very goals of education.
Policy Pathways to Global Learning Equity – A CPRG Perspective
For Lagos State, and other states in Nigeria, meaningful reforms are within reach. Schools could adopt clearer homework guidelines, limiting assignments to 20–30 minutes for primary pupils and prioritising quality over quantity. Integrating dedicated playtime such as extended recesses or after-school clubs would foster holistic growth. Teacher training programmes, aligned with GET CPRG’s emphasis on professional development, could equip educators to design engaging, low-pressure lessons that reduce reliance on rote homework.
Across Nigeria, other states should follow suit. Federal and state policies, like those under the Universal Basic Education Commission, could mandate balanced school days: earlier closures, capped extracurriculars, and community play initiatives. In resource-constrained areas, low-cost solutions such as parent-led reading circles or school playground upgrades can bridge gaps.
Globally, nations like Sweden and Finland offer inspiring models, where reduced screen time, ample play, and shorter school days yield superior well-being and outcomes. The international community, through bodies like UNESCO, can support African nations by sharing evidence-based frameworks for developmentally appropriate education.
“Balance is the new brilliance in education.”
Nigeria’s children deserve classrooms that nurture curiosity, not exhaustion. By heeding voices like that of the Lagos mother, policymakers, educators, and parents can champion reforms that prioritise play, rest, and meaningful learning. The time to act is now — for a generation that thrives, not just survives.
🛑📚 #ChildDevelopment #Parenting Tips #FutureByDesign #EducationReform
©️This commentary is published by the Centre for Policy, Research and Growth (CPRG) of the Global Educators Tribe (GET). We invite educators, parents, and leaders to share their insights on fostering balanced learning.
