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Many Nigerian parents despite the current financial constraints prioritize securing a quality education for their children and wards, as their goal is to ensure their children surpass their own achievements and grow into successful, well-rounded individuals. To identify the right school parents will have to carefully evaluate several critical factors and some of the factors they consider is what I will be discussing as there are top four aspects they assess before making their decision and as a parent I also used this method in my own evaluation.
1. Discipline & Character Development
Parents believe a good school instills strong moral values and respectful behavior on thier students we observe students’ conduct such as politeness, respect for elders, and conflict resolution to gauge the school’s effectiveness in shaping character. A school that neglects discipline or tolerates rudeness is often deemed unsuitable, as parents seek institutions that blend academic rigor with lessons in integrity and social responsibility, rudeness can also harbor bullies which tends to make some of the students timid and scared of thier pairs.
2. Quality of Teaching & Learning
Beyond exam results we parents also value schools that foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills by the students as it's one of the key factors for assessing the child’s progress through improved literacy, numeracy, and communication abilities (e.g., fluency in English) proper sentence construction context . A good school with an effect system in their eyes, prioritizes understanding over rote memorization, equipping students with creativity and adaptability for real-world challenges.
3. Safe & Conducive Environment
Safety and cleanliness are non-negotiable when it comes to Parents looks at schools with secure premises (gates, security personnel), well-ventilated classrooms, and orderly facilities. Overcrowding or unsanitary conditions raise red flags as it tends to reduce the quality of the education even when they have qualified teachers . A hygienic organized environment signals professionalism and care, giving parents peace of mind while their children learn.
4. Transparent Communication & Financial Flexibility
Parents seek schools that treat them as partners. Transparent communication about their child’s progress, fees, and policies is essential especially with their PTA board, They appreciate reminders about payments delivered respectfully, along with options for installment plans as sometimes economic uncertainty might disrupt some patents payment structure, Schools that abruptly exclude students over unpaid fees or fail to engage parents lose trust from the parents but Regular updates and empathy for financial constraints reinforce a school’s commitment to its community and helps them grow exponential.
Beyond Appearances
Parents often prioritize these practical factors over superficial traits like grand buildings or flashy uniforms while their ultimate goal is a school that nurtures their child’s academic growth, character, and safety before enrolling thier wards, they ask via random survey from other students and parents some of this questions.
- Are students here well-mannered and disciplined?
- Is the curriculum fostering genuine understanding and growth?
- Is the environment secure and hygienic?
- Does the school respect and collaborate with families?
If the response they get from their survey meets their content standard they enroll thier wards to the school and pay the necessary fees.
To other School owners and educators What other factors do you believe parents consider when evaluating a school?