Revisit 2.30 p.m. closing time for public schools, NAPTAN urges Anambra govt.

LAGOS (Sundiata Post) – National Parent-Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has appealed to Anambra Government to revisit its directive that schools should end daily academic activities at 2.30 p.m. in the state.Deputy National President of NAPTAN, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said in an interview with the News on Thursday in Lagos that the directive might be counterproductive.reports that the state government had said it had adopted the United Nations (UN) stipulations for schools to end daily academic activities by 2.30 p.m., with the children expected to be at home by 3.00 p.m.Ogunbanjo acknowledged the fact that the development would allow the children to rest after their daily academic activities and the parents to spend time with them for proper upbringing.He, however, noted that the present social-economic situation had compelled parents and guardians to be commercially-engaged, just to put food on the table of their family members.“Yes, it’s in line with UN recommendations and the idea behind it is reasonable. However, NAPTAN is appealing to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to consider parents’ schedule too and have a rethink.“The directive should not be made compulsory because most parents will still be at work and some in their business centres. So the timing is definitely a problem.“Security-wise, it is even risky to leave children in the care of neighbours, as not all parents can afford to pick their children at 2.30 p.m. or put them in boarding,” he stated.The NAPTAN deputy national president called for more sensitisation for parents to create time and be with their children, as ‘good patenting is key’. (NAN)