Are you sure your Teen is Ready for University this September?

Are you sure your Teen is Ready for University this September? Too many Nigerian parents are sending their teenagers abroad too early!

It is the time of the year parents, teachers, counselors all  focus on one subject: What happens after SS3 or Year 11? It has now become  fashionable for many SS3 or IGCSE student to pronounce happily  to their friends that they are off to University and just can’t wait for September. But the truth be told are they really ready for University? Are parents thinking deeply before sending their young teens merrily off to University at the tender ages of 16 or 17. The transition from Secondary school to University is a difficult process. A lot of students complete SS3 or IGCSE at the age of 16 leaving them ill prepared to face the rigors of university life at that age. Some teenagers are emotionally and academically prepared for the challenges of University, but how many Nigerian 16 year olds are truly ready for that independent living far away from home  in a different culture with people from diverse back grounds?


Our educational system based on a 6334 system no longer provides for a mandatory A level programme and this means that our teenagers are proceeding to Nigerian Universities and other Universities at the tender age of 16. American & Canadian students all  have to complete a mandatory secondary school programme and exit at the age of 18 for University

It is increasingly worrisome the  number of Nigerian parents that are sending  their children to University at 16 or 17  particularly abroad . Many of our teenagers are not mature enough to cope with University life and this is leading to many returning home after one year usually due to failing grades and the policy of the various high commissions insisting they return to Nigeria if they fail and are not progressing, thereby costing parents a loss of a huge amount of money which they can ill afford particularly with the rate of exchange at above 300 for UK Institutions. Many are also ending up in Jail as they have not been properly prepared for the law abiding countries, giving the amount of lawlessness that goes on in our Country. Does your teen know they cannot drink before the age of 21 in the USA and even worse still that they can end up in jail for drinking & driving or even get their student visa revoked permanently. I am saddened every time I read about another Nigerian teenage that has lost his life for something that could easily have been avoided just because they lacked parental supervision. ( Universities expressly warn parents that they will not act as guardian or loco parentis to International students who are below the age of 18 .This means that our teens are pretty much left to their own devices and this sometimes leads them to taking decisions that can be detrimental to their well being.  Granted we need to delicately balance the quest for high quality education in a top performing country with the disadvantage of exposing our young teens to the liberty and freedom that they cannot manage. We have a lot of excellent private institutions and Universities in Nigeria. Parents need to carefully weigh their decisions and seek counsel if not sure. It is not every child that must proceed abroad for studies no matter the peer pressure!!