Immorality in Schools

RAPID GROWTH OF IMMORALITY IN OUR SCHOOLS


As a social analyst/crusader that considers education as a paramount tool towards any societal development, I’ve taken time to visit most of the schools in Nigeria with the object of ascertaining if students and pupils are actually practising/doing what they were supposed to practise/do. From my diligent research, I observed that, the state at which students in our various citadels of learning do not believe that some behavior is right and acceptable while others are wrong and unacceptable has become the talk of the day in our noble society. Is this the way forward?

Some of these vices practiced by the students are theft, bribery, fornication, cultism, examination malpractices, disobedience, improper dressing, disguise, drinking/smoking habits, prostitution, and what have you. Some are practised by the female students, and some are being practised by the male students, while most are found among both genders. We shall be discussing each of the ills listed above one after the other. I would be frank and discursive in my presentation for the reading pleasure of my fans whose unending text/e-mail messages remain my motivation; and for posterity sake.

Most students prefer bribery the lecturers to reading for their exams since they stand the greater chances of coming out with flying colours than those who read for the examination. More so, most of them who sit for exams end up cheating in the exam hall, which they see or consider as the only way to pass their courses because they never read for the exams. This aspect of cheating is also common amongst the secondary school students. On the other hand considering theft/larceny; some of the students live by collecting what belongs to their neighbours or fellow students. This is mostly common among the students who reside in the school hostel.

Secondly, most students in the tertiary schools see sexual intercourse as a way through which one can catch his/her fun, without acknowledging that this is only ideal for the married men and women. This ugly situation has contributed to the incessant occurrence and rise of unwanted pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in several societies. Sometimes it’s also found amongst the secondary school students. In the same vein, most female students in the higher institutions prefer walking naked to putting on their well cultured dresses. Also, wearing of ear rings and plaiting of hair has been a common phenomenon observed among the male folks. The female and male students in our various secondary schools have also joined the chorus. It doesn’t even stop at that; most of our female students live by opening their private parts for men, for the sake of receiving money from them. What is this?

Nowadays virtually every male student on campus depend on drinks and smokes on a daily basis. Most times they end-up being drunk. Some indulges in driving while drunk which has been the cause of most accident recorded on our roads. Some of the female ones are not left out. What a world!

It’s no longer a new story that most of the pupils and students in primary/secondary schools respectively don’t even listen or adhere to their parents’ instructions or advices. And to worsen the situation; the parents in question don’t even care to implement their instructions strictly. Most of them have suddenly become lousy. What’s happening to us?

Going through the above bad omens, anyone could boldly ask of where we’re actually heading to. And if such question eventually comes up, I’ll boldly respond that, we’re heading nowhere. Of course it’s boldly written that there’s no definite destination we’re actually aiming at considering the lackadaisical attitude of those concerned.

This high growth of immoralities witnessed on an hourly basis is not unconnected to lack of home training or inadequate upbringing of children. Those days, parents took it as a priority to monitor every bit of their child/ward’s movement, speech or activity. But nowadays, the reverse becomes the case; most parents utilize most of their times looking after their respective business ventures without minding the moral status of their children/wards. They believe that money answers everything; not knowing that, having a well behaved child is far better than riches.

Improper or non-disciplinary measures taken by the teachers should also be noted as one of the causes of the occurring deviance. Apart from inadequate upbringing of the kids by their parents, the teachers in their respective schools are also one of the major causes of the porosity discovered in their moral lives. Sometimes the pupils or students are being overlooked when they exhibit some characters that are not called for. By so doing, an enormous lapse would be created in the child’s moral attitudes (behaviours). This is what prompted the popular saying that says, “Spare the rot and spoil the child.”

Most of the teachers/parents are yet to acknowledge the fact that, the foundation of a child’s training lies in his/her home and nursery/primary schools, which are vital instruments to one’s educational background.

Provision/availability of mobile phones is another recent cause of the ongoing scenario. It has created an avenue for the secondary school students to indulge in ‘love affairs’. With the use of the mobile phones, and exchange of phone numbers between the students of opposite genders, they go extra miles keeping indoor appointments in which they end-up kissing and romancing each other thereby becoming randy. They don’t only use the phones to keep an appointment among themselves; they also use them to send some immoral text messages. They also make use of the so called midnight calls for their longtime emotional discussions instead of indulging in a useful conversation that would be of good help to their academic pursuits. Also, the children who have access to camera phones end-up occupying the phones with some pornographic pictures and/or films.

More so, the abuse of the use of other telecommunication equipment such as televisions and video gadgets, has contributed immensely to this moral leakage (decadence). Those days, the television and video machines were used at home by the children strictly for news and viewing of some holy films respectively. But today, the machines are being used to watch films that do not impact any reasonable knowledge on the children’s minds. To worsen it all, some parents do join their offspring whenever they see them watching the so-called films. What a tragedy! At recent times, no child even remember to listen to news, the parents don’t ask them to either.

Lack of sudden or frequent visit of the parents/guardians to know the welfare of their children/wards in higher institutions cannot be left out. Parents no longer take time to visit their children in the school to know their moral/academic status. Also, funding of the students by their parents without minding how the money is being spent has created a social vacuum in the society at large.

To wipe out these lackadaisical and blasphemous acts, the grass root of a child’s upbringing ought to not be taken for granted. The parents/guardian should devote large percentage of their time to their children’s/wards’ activities and welfare; and they should not fail to take a proper disciplinary action if they notice any character that’s uncalled for. The same measure should be taken by the teachers. The Holy Bible says in Proverb 23: 13-14, “Don’t hesitate to discipline a child. A good spanking won’t kill him. As a matter of fact, it may save his life.”

Secondly, a dressing code ought to be implemented by the Senate or the concerned/apt authority of each tertiary institution in Nigeria and across the globe in general. A tangible penalty or capital punishment should be issued to any student who fails to stick to the rule.

Thirdly, the government in collaboration with each of the schools’ board should set-up various panel to ensure that, each of the students sit for his/her respective exams without seeking for or hiring any external candidate. It should be applicable to both the secondary and tertiary schools. Furthermore, the Senate of all the higher institutions should strictly make expulsion (rustication) the only penalty for examination malpractices.

Fourthly, adequate measure should be taken by the government to monitor the activities of the students, to ensure a cult-free learning environment, and to eradicate stealing and prostitution wholly. A capital punishment like the one mentioned above should also be implemented if anyone is found guilty of any of these crimes.

The last but not the least, the parents/guardian should from time to time visit their children/wards in their various schools to enable them to be always conscious of any immoral act, or to desist from them/any if they are already party to the game. Above all, bars or beer parlours ought to be duly banned on or within the campuses to create a decent environment for learning.

And to the people in question; mind you, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Think about it, while I continue to pray for you!

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COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Sadism

SADISM: GRUESOME SCHOOL OF THOUGHT


Brethren, sometimes one may choose/prefer to remain a mere onlooker over an ongoing ugly scenario, because, some discussions or deliberations might warrant an unprecedented wanton action. It’s in the same vein that an individual or a group accepts a certain humiliation in good faith; simply because, vengeance is likely to have the tendency/potential of constituting a third world war. Suffice to say that in the eyes of many, some anomalies are better left untreated.

The last time I checked, fanaticism and extremism remained the order of the day in the global society. During the investigation (inquiry), I also fully understood that the founders or prime (key) actors of the untold bloody activities resulting from the aforementioned global scenario were among our apex ‘leaders’. A moment that almost brought me to a comatose state. Believe me, when I tried to unravel the mystery, it appeared I was nearly close to the forbidden ‘six feet’. Nevertheless, I’ll continue to abide by the truth because I’ve already taken an oath not to be discouraged by any circumstance I might find myself.

It’s inconsequential to remind us of the topic of today because I’m personally of the view that it’s boldly written, therefore it’s expected to be legible in the sight of all and sundry. Notwithstanding, I wish to inform you that we’re discussing one of the gruesome school of thoughts in existence. Lest I forget; in subsequent to my immediate previous edition which laid emphasis on ‘courtship’, someone (a colleague) jokingly called to remind me that I was still single, therefore wasn’t licensed to write on that (courtship). Well, I thanked him for reminding me that I needed to settle down. Let’s ride on!

Sadism is a behaviour in which a person drives pleasure from hurting other people and making them suffer. It could also be addressed as an excitement felt from hurting/humiliating other individuals or groups.

At this juncture, I humbly asked; how can one in his/her real senses drive pleasure/excitement from seeing other persons being hurt, even if he/she wasn’t the cause. Then, considering the fact that you were the one that hurt them and still drive pleasure from such act; isn’t it absurd, or doesn’t it sound inhumane?

Though if properly checked right from our respective childhood stages, we would understand that we all have sinned in one occasion or the other, ignorantly or soberly, as a result of such ridiculous/evil act; but the situation whereby some persons indulge in the act on a daily basis or has taken it to be their way of life is a point this edition is actually driving at. How can one wake up in the morning from his/her bed and decides or makes up his mind to ensure that his neighbours live to regret their existence on earth.

The other day, I was privileged to glance at a certain home movie. The bone of contention of the story line was that a certain young man’s fiancée was snatched from him by his so called best friend while he was on a three-year study leave overseas. On the other hand, barely two days ago, I came across the news of one barbaric act on social media, facebook precisely; I learnt that a man in his early thirties drugged his girl friend who was still a virgin in his personal lodge, and subsequently the lady in question was raped to a state of coma. According to the news, I understood the lady regained her consciousness in the process and started screaming, but unfortunately the man persisted till she fainted.

Of course, all these wanton destruction of lives and property such as massacre, genocide, arson and what have you, taking place on a daily basis in all nooks and crannies are attributable to this aforementioned gruesome school of thought known as sadism. The most painful and devastating aspect of these deadly scenes is that some of those we entrust our collective future on, are the major constituent of the group of sadists.

Brethren, where have our consciences gone, that we find it very difficult to comprehend the efficacy of fellowship, unionism and absolute sincerity? Mind you, one who chooses to murder the happiness of others have as well chosen to murder the entire members of his/her fourth generation to come. Think about it!


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COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Tools for Human Coexistence

FOUR VITAL TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR HUMAN COEXISTENCE


Brethren, for human beings to coexist harmoniously irrespective of the nature of the relationship and their individual status, there must be certain tools/parameters that should not be taken for granted. And they are: kindness, appreciation, commendation, and apology.

During the creation of mankind, he was furnished (garnished) with various idiosyncrasies that discharge the above spices/recipes to ensure the sustenance of human existence.

Let’s take our time to factor out the basic definitions of the stated tools considering the context this edition is representing, or where the writer is coming from. Kindness is the quality of being gentle, caring, and helpful. Appreciation is the expression of gratitude over a certain kind gesture displayed by someone. Commendation is the praise(s) someone receives from someone else or group of persons due to the remarkable act displayed by him. While, apology is something that you say or write in order to tell someone that you’re sorry for having hurt him or caused him trouble.

Let me begin with kindness. In a nutshell, this really has to do with caring; and caring is affection, help, and sympathy. So for one to be referred to as a caring person, he must be affectionate, helpful and sympathetic. We must try to showcase our caring quality to each other at all times. That’s where love comes in. Thus, we should ensure that we love our fellow creatures. This’s why the Holy Bible instructs every living soul to love his neighbour like himself (1Jn 4:7-8). We must respect the Almighty because He’s the Supreme Being, and as well good. In other words, if you truly love yourself, you must ensure that everyone around you is treated with kindness. You shouldn’t be selfish or greedy. You can only boast that you love someone when his/her happiness is very important to you. And, it’s only love that can ascertain unity. If we don’t love ourselves, we can’t be united. Frankly speaking, most social ills or deviant acts experienced in our society today are not unconnected to lack of love. Therefore, we must cultivate the habit of being kind for the betterment of any society we find ourselves.

I wish to switch over to appreciation. This factor may carry a definition different from the one stated above depending on the context of the debate or deliberation. In this edition, we actually mean, the discharge of gratitude. Many are yet to embrace the importance of this tool (appreciation). Phrases such as, “Thank you, God bless you, or may God reward you,” may seem meaningless to us, but they’re deeply meaningful. If you receive any gift from someone, don’t hesitate to say, thank you or any of the above. You’ll lose nothing if you discharge such phrase, rather, it’ll add a lot to what you already have. Believe it because it’s a fact. Honestly, a sincere gift comes from the heart. And anything that comes from or lies in the heart is being controlled by love because love is an action of the heart. So no matter how little a gift might be, don’t fail to appreciate it. Even if you don’t like the gift, do not allow your countenance to inform the donor that you’re not comfortable with it. In this case, the most mature thing to do is to accept the gift with a cheerful look which would automatically shows that you welcome the kind gesture. Having collected the gift, you may have someone else around you who would cherish the item more than you expect. We all are not same or equal, by choice or material possession respectively. That’s how we were created; naturally, we’re being guided by such rule or phenomenon. Such approach (appreciation) is also applicable if one does something nice to you or any of your relatives.

Let’s talk about commendation. The similarity between this and appreciation is that both lay emphasis on eulogies. But the difference lies in the language, and the occasion at which they’re required. Commendation is used when the effort or kind gesture is received either directly or indirectly. That is, sometimes you may not have any personal dividend from the effort (gesture). For instance, when a brother or cousin of yours just finished building his home or place of residence, courtesy demands that you go to him and say, well done! Such effort could only be beneficial to you indirectly. But the fact remains that, there’s no personal benefit attached to it. Thus, unlike appreciation which goes or comes up only when the gesture in question is beneficial to your person, commendation could be used/cited in various circumstances. In other words, commendation could be used in several kinds of circumstances. Summarily, we ought to continually commend (appreciate) one another; our siblings, parents, children, and/or leaders. You can even commend yourself each time you undergo something challenging.

Let’s take a ride to apology; the last on my list, but not the least. In the same vein, the phrase “I’m sorry,” should be the action of the mind and heart, and not that of the mind alone. Meaning; it has to do with reasoning and total submission. Apology usually comes or set in when one must have done something wrong. And, it’s only a reasonable person that realizes when something is or goes wrong. That’s where mind comes in. But there’s more attached to the action of the mind, which is honesty and compassion. And, this’s the action of the heart. You don’t just say ‘sorry’ each time you go wrong because you feel that would soothe the mood of the recipient. In addition, you’ve to express that with extreme sincerity. It’s only a sincere apology that showcases true remorse. And a true remorse shows that, such would not repeat itself. Let me quickly draw your attention to a very remarkable scene of one of the American (Hollywood’s) seasonal films, Prison Break, I took my time to watch; in that scene, one of the characters states that, “If you wanna restore dignity, you need to take action. Making amends requires much more than saying, I’m sorry. It means learning to change. The most important thing is that, you display honesty, courage and compassion when you extend your apologies. You need to earn your forgiveness…” Let’s always embrace the use of sincere apology which has the tendency of saving many from apoplexy. More so, one can say that he’s sorry even when he truly knows that he never did something wrong to the partner in question. Mind you, ‘I’m sorry’ doesn’t really mean that you were wrong; it simply means that you adore the friendship/relationship and would never want to lose it.

Brethren, I bet you, our entire existence here on earth can never be successful and fruitful as we anticipate if we fail to embrace the four tools/parameters discussed above. Honestly I’m not here to mesmerized your mood, but to put you in the right direction. Think about it!

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FRED D.N NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com