The Lagos State Government has enjoined parents and private schools to allow children go through primary six class, being a basic requirement in the system, before getting to secondary school.
Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, gave the advice at the inauguration of the  ‘ Hurried Child Project” in Lagos at the weekend.
According to her, the national survey submission states clearly that children should enter secondary school at age 12.
The one-day  programme, organised by A Mother Love Initiative, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), was used to mark the 2021  World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.
Also, November 19 has been set aside to commemorate the anniversary of the Convention on the Right of the Child.
Adefisayo spoke on “Policy Perspective on School Enrollment”, reiterating the national survey submission which states that children should enter secondary school at the age of 12 years.
“ Let us help our children pass through the normal classes as required, grow the way they should grow, in regular order, so that they do things as they are supposed to do in every stage of their lives.
“ Fine, there are some outstanding children but the average child or majority of the children should just follow their normal biological age and development, and that is what we and this programme are canvassing for,” Adefisayo added.
Speaking on the topic  “The Mother’s Voice”, wife of Lagos State Governor,Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, condemned the act whereby some parents who over shadow their children’s lives, and push them hard for academic success.
Sanwo-Olu represented by Mrs Edith Egube noted that there was no shortcut to success, adding that “ we must, however, continue to speak strongly on the need for all to adhere to basic processes in child care and development.
According to her, a hurried child will turn out to be half-baked, which eventually will pose a serious challenge to society in the long run, adding that it was unacceptable and unhealthy.
“ I am glad to note that the Mother’s Love Initiative has put in place some series to revisit old, indigenous, and traditional African cultural practices that counter the possible patterns of hurrying a child.
“ We must continue to play up advocacy on the need to guide parents, teachers, and society on how to avoid the trap of promoting the practice of hurrying children in Africa,” she added.
Meanwhile, head external relation of the initiative Mrs Habatu Enwemadu, said the passion to create empathy for the Nigerian child was the brain behind the programme.