24/06/2025
MY JOURNEY TODAY AFTER SCHOOL WITH ONE OF MY STUDENTS!
This morning, some students came to school late and in the process of giving them punishment, one told me that he came to school on foot. Owing to this, I left the boy but told him that after school I will accompany him and his younger brother home to know where they are living.
On saying that I will accompany them, he asked me to flog him but I insisted to go with them from school to their house to see the distance.
A few minutes to dismissal time, I left the office to change my Roman collar to a normal shirt. On my way home, I asked an SS 2 student to tell the student in question who is also in SS 2 to call his younger brother and wait for me in front of our house to enable us begin our journey.
To my greatest surprise I didn't see the students as expected, fortunately for me I made some steps and saw the younger student where he was buying something. Looking at him, he was not happy when I asked him to lead me to their house since the brother has gone as he told me when I asked him.
At first, he was not happy but had no choice. When his best friend noticed what was going on, he moved faster and never moved in the same line with us. We checked the time and it was 4:15 pm. As we were going, I noticed that all the students moving before me were all focused and there was no need to play. After some steps, we met two female students at one junction going home. One is going to Amakohia the other Ubommiri. After a while, they wanted to divert but when I noticed that, I called them back immediately and their response was that they needed to follow the shortcut. It might interest you to know that these students were actually moving towards Amakohia fly over but they were diverting to the road facing Amakohia by Rapour. I thereby called them and redirected them. The one going towards Ubommiri confessed that they wanted to disconnect from my company.
While still on our journey, I was telling them the story of how I travelled on foot for 40 minutes to school to and fro. I also narrated to them what I do after school every day. As we were trekking, we got to some of our students' houses after 10 minutes of the journey.
Approximately 15 minutes, we got to Amakohia by diamond spot; the junction straight to our road. The student wanted to enter a taxi, but I refused, insisting that we would trek the distance in order to ascertain the time spent on the journey and so, we continued the journey .
One thing within this period was that, I always ask him if I am moving too fast. His response will be no. Moreover, the student has the same height as I do and one will not say that he is being intimidated by my height. It took us another 20 minutes from the diamond spot to their house which is opposite Sacred Heart parish Akwakuma.
On reaching the house, I asked him to call the elder brother so that he would know that I came to their house. Lo and behold, he is not yet back from school. I left their place to continue the next day with them in school.
After some distance, the mother called me and requested that I should come back. I did as she appealed. Meeting her, I told her why I visited their place. Unknown to me that she had plans to offer me kola, although I was not expecting such. We discussed further with my students and everyone was so happy that I visited.
Today, I strongly believe that the student in question saved his transport money. But then one will ask where the problem lies? LACK OF DISCIPLINE.
Many children are missing the track because of LACK OF DISCIPLINE. Remember I am no longer talking about the student in question but generally.
1. HOW MANY PARENTS DO TIME THEIR CHILDREN? (TO AND FRO TO SCHOOL)SOME DO I KNOW.
2. HOW MANY PARENTS GIVE PUNISHMENT TO THEIR CHILDREN WHEN THEY COME BACK HOME LATE AFTER SCHOOL?
3. HOW MANY PARENTS ENSURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL ON TIME?
4. HOW MANY PARENTS CHECK THEIR CHILDREN'S BOOKS AFTER SCHOOL.
MANY PARENTS TODAY FROWN AT THE DISCIPLINE GIVEN TO THEIR CHILDREN IN SCHOOL OR ANY OTHER PLACE. SOME DO THIS EVEN BEFORE THEIR CHILDREN THEREBY GIVING THEM MORALE OR BACKBONE TO DISOBEY OR DISRESPECT THEIR ELDERS.
There is a saying that, "one person does not train a child"
Are there ways that parents can frown at excessive punishment given to a child in form of discipline without the children knowing? YES.
Spare the rod and spoil the child.
I thereby write this to reawaken parents on the things they should not in any way neglect.
Lateness can affect a child's performance in school. When he/she misses the first period, he/she will be struggling to cover up till the school dismissal.
When I was in senior primary, my mother will always wake my siblings and I up at 4:00am to study for one hour before our family prayers by 5:00am and as from 5:45 am we begin our house chores. When I was in secondary school my younger brother and I will always leave for school at least at 6:45am.
Sometimes, I am always bewildered to hear students say that they woke up at 7:00 am. Some 6:00 am, 6:30 am. In situations like this, one will ask why they will not be late to school?
Above all, many students who use personal mobile phones at home go to bed late because they are on social media chatting. In the end, they will wake up late too because they went to bed late.
What is the way forward? DISCIPLINE IS THE WAY FORWARD.
DISCIPLINE SHAPES ONES LIFE.
Sometimes, some people see DISCIPLINE as strict, harsh, wickedness. All are misinterpretations of DISCIPLINE.
TAKE NOTE:
IT IS HARD FOR ONE TO CONVINCE A DISCIPLINED CHILD TO DO SOMETHING BAD.
It is only an undisciplined child that one can easily convince and he/she will join without sharing to anyone.
MY DEAR PARENTS, LET US RISE AND LEARN TO DISCIPLINE OUR CHILDREN WHEN NECESSARY.
DO NOT BE AN AUTHORITARIAN PARENT - PARENTS DRIVEN. WHO SETS STRICT RULES AND PUNISHMENT. ONE WAY COMMUNICATION.
BE AN AUTHORITATIVE PARENT - WHO SOLVES THE PROBLEM WITH THE CHILD. SETS CLEAR RULES AND EXPECTATIONS.
May God bless you our dear Parents, and give you grace to continue the work He has begun in you. Amen.
✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️
Rev. Fr. Kingsley Chukwumezie Umeadi OMD
Director/Principal - St. John Leonardi Model Secondary School Amakohia.
