By Comrade Kunle Sodipo anipr
kdrexafricanchild@gmail.com
18 July, 2026
A few days ago, in a primary school parents’ WhatsApp platform, a single message exposed a deeper sickness in our society.
And that sickness has nothing to do with *Apolo* — conjunctivitis.
It has to do with *immaturity.*
*THE INCIDENT*
A mother, in anger, dropped this message on the platform:
> _”Concerning the conjunctivitis that is now viral in Nursery section, if I say my piece to the parent that brought their child to school knowing fully well she/he is infected. The school management should have not let that child in school, not putting the rest of the pupils and parents in consideration. IT IS SO UNFAIR, I MEAN VERY UNFAIR”._
Caps lock. Accusation. Blame. Public trial.
No facts. No private conversation. No contact with the school.
What followed was predictable: other parents jumped in. Emotion replaced reason. A mob was forming online.
Then one parent tried to apply brakes:
> _”I think this is a matter for serious discussion at the earliest possible opportunity… I think some sensitive matters are better handle away from social media”._
Maturity. Wisdom. Community thinking.
But that did not sit well.
The husband of the first woman called the sensible parent. Rude. Loud. His wife shouting in the background.
When asked the simple question: _”Did you complain to the school management first before coming to the platform?”_
The answer was: *No.*
The platform became a battlefield. Until the school management had to lock it down with a well-written statement.
*THE HARD TRUTH: WE HAVE A GENERATION OF “UNTRAINED CHILDREN” BECOMING PARENTS*
This is not about one mother. This is about a pattern that is now alarming in Nigeria.
1. *No Emotional Intelligence*: The first reaction to any problem is outrage, not inquiry. We post first, think later.
2. *No Conflict Resolution Skills*: Instead of walking to the school office, we run to WhatsApp to “shame” and “call out”.
3. *No Sense of Community*: We forget that 40 other children and parents are reading. That one post can destroy a school’s reputation built over 20 years.
4. *No Responsibility*: Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and has an incubation period. A child can be fine in the morning and show symptoms by noon. Blaming a parent or school without facts is wickedness disguised as concern.
We are raising children, giving them children, and expecting them to raise those children.
That is how cycles break.
*3 LESSONS EVERY PARENT AND SCHOOL MUST LEARN*
1. *Go to the Source First*
School platform is for information, not prosecution. If your child is sick, inform the teacher. If you have a complaint, go to the office. Social media is the last resort, not the first.
2. *Protect the Village*
It takes a village to raise a child. But it also takes a village to protect a village. One reckless post can cause panic, lead to withdrawals, and destroy teachers’ livelihoods. Be sure before you speak.
3. *Model Maturity to Your Children*
Your nursery child is watching you. If they see you insult, shout, and blame online, that is what they will become. Parenting is 90% example.
*TO SCHOOLS*
You must set rules of engagement for parents’ platforms.
Moderate strictly. Lock when necessary. And educate parents during admission: _”We are partners, not enemies.”_
*CONCLUSION: PARENTING IS A SKILL, NOT AN ACCIDENT*
Having a child does not make you a parent. Raising one with wisdom does.
Nigeria cannot afford a generation of parents who are still “children” in their thinking.
Because the children they raise will inherit that same chaos.
Before you type that angry message, ask yourself:
*”Am I solving a problem, or am I becoming one?”*
Let us train parents the way we train pupils.
Because the future of this nation is sitting in that nursery class — and it is watching us.
_Teach us how to parent, Nigeria._
Feedback: kdrexafricanchild@gmail.com
Leave a comment