Mother's Emotional Plea Over Excessive Homework for 5-Year-Old Goes Viral
A Nigerian mother has captured widespread attention after a video surfaced showing her kneeling and begging her child's school to reduce the overwhelming amount of homework given to her five-year-old daughter. The mother, identified in the video as @apieceofjazz, explained that her child receives six assignments every single day, a burden she claims is taking a severe toll on the young student's well-being.
Daily Struggle with Excessive Schoolwork
In the heartfelt video, the mother detailed the rigorous daily routine her child endures. "What is going on, we're getting 6 assignments every single day, our children are overstimulated," she lamented. "When they come back home, they don't even want to write because they're tired. They've been in school all day, when they come back, they have 6 assignments."
She described a cycle where the child completes the homework, goes to bed, wakes up at 6 AM for school, learns throughout the day, returns home, and is then given additional assignments. The mother emphasized that this excessive workload is causing her child to act "like a zombie" and is hindering genuine learning.
Specific Complaints and Call for Action
The mother specifically addressed a school in the Lekki area, pleading with authorities to intervene. "Lekki school, migwo. The assignment is getting too much, we don tire o. This assignment don too much o," she said, mixing English and Nigerian Pidgin to express her frustration.
She highlighted the impracticality of the situation, noting that even parents who work face challenges. "Even if we're jobless, we go to work, we come back, there's traffic. Just the small time wey we go use do assignments, una dey give them 6 assignments," she explained, pointing out that some children return from school as late as 6 PM, already exhausted.
Reactions from the Online Community
The video sparked a flood of reactions from other parents and social media users, many sharing similar experiences:
- Hardufe commented: "If my son bring 4 assignments, na me go write 2 he go write d remaining two, I no fill kill innocent boy with book."
- Jamo shared: "The teachers are pushing their jobs to the parents."
- BEDDINGS/CURTAINS IN LAGOS? asked incredulously: "5 years Dey do project ???"
- chukssyudykay25 advised: "Na for PTA meeting u suppose go complain make other parents join mouth."
Some users suggested practical solutions, while others criticized the educational system for overburdening young children.
Broader Context of Homework Debates in Nigeria
This incident is not isolated. It reflects a growing concern among Nigerian parents about the pressure placed on young students. In a similar report, a Nigerian father recently expressed anger after his two-year-old daughter, who cannot yet speak, was given homework on her second day of school. He questioned whether the school expected parents to complete the assignments, insisting they paid fees for care and rest, not academic overload.
Another case involved a mother who was surprised by strange questions in her daughter's homework, which she shared on TikTok for public scrutiny. These stories collectively highlight a national conversation about educational policies and the appropriate balance between schoolwork and childhood development.
Implications for Educational Practices
The mother's viral plea raises critical questions about:
- The psychological impact of excessive homework on young children.
- The role of schools in fostering healthy learning environments versus academic pressure.
- The need for dialogue between parents, educators, and authorities to establish reasonable homework guidelines.
As the video continues to circulate, it serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by families navigating the demands of modern education. The mother's kneeling appeal underscores the desperation felt by many parents who witness their children struggling under the weight of unrealistic academic expectations.
