School Choice in Nigeria: What I Wish I'd Known

Choosing where your child will spend their formative years is one of the most stressful decisions Nigerian parents face. After three years navigating the Nigerian education system with my daughter—and now preparing to enrol my son—I've learned hard lessons about what actually matters versus what sounds good in theory. This is the honest conversation I wish someone had with me before I spent sleepless nights comparing school fees, curricula, and reputations. **The Curriculum Confusion: British vs Nigerian vs American** This is often the first question parents ask, and it's more complex than it appears. **Nigerian Curriculum (NERDC)** The government-approved curriculum focuses on local context, culture, and qualifications (WAEC, NECO, JAMB). Advantages: - Affordable (especially in government schools) - Culturally relevant content - Prepares children for Nigerian university entrance exams - Children learn in context they'll likely live in Disadvantages: - Quality varies drastically between schools - Often relies heavily on rote memorization - Limited critical thinking emphasis in many schools - Overcrowded classrooms in public schools (40-60+ students) - Teacher quality inconsistent **British Curriculum (IGCSE/A-Levels)** Popular in private schools, following UK frameworks with exams like Cambridge IGCSE. Advantages: - International recognition - Strong emphasis on critical thinking - Smaller class sizes (typically) - Prepares children for overseas university - Structured progression Disadvantages: - Expensive (₦500,000 - ₦3,000,000+ annually) - Can feel disconnected from Nigerian reality - Not optimized for JAMB if child decides on Nigerian university - Some schools use "British curriculum" as marketing without proper implementation **American Curriculum** Less common but growing, following US state standards with SAT preparation. Advantages: - Flexible, student-centred approach - Emphasis on creativity and participation - Good for children aiming for US universities Disadvantages: - Very expensive - Even less standardization than British curriculum in Nigeria - Requires verification of school accreditation **My Honest Take:** After three years in a British curriculum school, here's what I learned: **The curriculum matters far less than the school's implementation.** I've seen excellent Nigerian curriculum schools producing confident, capable children and expensive British curriculum schools that were essentially glorified daycares with British accents. Ask these questions instead: 1. What are class sizes? (Under 25 is ideal; over 35 is a red flag) 2. What's the teacher turnover rate? (High turnover means instability) 3. Can I observe a class before enrolling? (If they say no, walk away) 4. How do they handle discipline and pastoral care? 5. What's the homework load? (Age-appropriate or excessive?) **The Private vs Public Debate** This is often framed as quality vs affordability, but it's more nuanced. **Government Schools:** I'll be blunt—most urban Nigerian government schools are struggling. Underfunding, overcrowding, and inconsistent teacher quality make them challenging environments for learning. However, there are exceptions: - Federal Government Colleges (competitive entry, better funded) - Some state schools in well-funded areas - Schools with active, involved PTAs **Private Schools:** Range from excellent to exploitative. High fees don't guarantee quality—some are simply businesses exploiting parental anxiety. Red flags in private schools: - Schools younger than 3 years (unproven track record) - No clear curriculum or learning outcomes - Inability to show student progression data - Flashy facilities but evasive about teacher qualifications - Pressure tactics during enrollment ("only 2 spots left!") **What I Learned the Hard Way:** We initially chose a school with beautiful facilities, iPads in every classroom, and impressive marketing. Within six months, I realized: - The iPads were used for basic games, not learning - Teacher turnover was constant (3 different teachers in one term) - "British curriculum" meant using UK textbooks but no actual understanding of pedagogy - My daughter wasn't progressing We switched to a less flashy school with experienced, stable teachers. Her progress transformed within weeks. **Facilities matter far less than teaching quality.** A school with basic classrooms and excellent teachers beats a school with swimming pools and rotating staff. **The Questions Nobody Asks (But Should)** After touring 15+ schools, these are the questions that revealed truth: **1. "What's your teacher retention rate?"** Good schools keep teachers. If they can't answer or dodge, that's a problem. Aim for schools where most teachers have been there 3+ years. **2. "Can I speak with current parents?"** Schools confident in their delivery happily connect you with parent references. If they refuse, they're hiding something. **3. "How do you communicate with parents?"** Weekly updates? Monthly? Only when there's a problem? Regular, proactive communication indicates a school that values partnership. **4. "What's your approach to children who struggle?"** Do they have learning support? Or do they suggest struggling children "might be happier elsewhere" (code for: we only want high performers)? **5. "Show me your library."** An understocked, unused library tells you reading isn't prioritized. A well-used library with recent books shows commitment to literacy. **6. "What extracurricular activities are included vs extra cost?"** Some schools advertise "music, sports, art" but charge separately for everything. Others include basics in fees. **7. "What's your discipline policy?"** Still using corporal punishment? Hard no. Look for schools with restorative, age-appropriate discipline approaches. **Location: The Hidden Cost** Lagos traffic taught me this: a fantastic school 15km away becomes a nightmare when your child spends 2+ hours daily in transit. Proximity matters for: - Your child's wellbeing (less exhaustion) - Your ability to participate (school events, emergencies) - Long-term sustainability (sustainable routine vs constant stress) We moved our daughter to a good-enough school 10 minutes away instead of a great school 45 minutes away (in light traffic; 90+ in typical traffic). Her quality of life improved dramatically. **The Peer Group Factor** Your child's classmates will influence them profoundly. Visit during break time or pickup and observe: - Are children engaged and happy? - How do they interact with each other? - Do they seem stressed or relaxed? Also consider: Do the families align with your values? Schools naturally attract certain demographics. You're not just choosing a school—you're choosing a community. **The Costly Mistake: Starting Too Early in Expensive Schools** Many parents stretch financially to enrol toddlers in expensive nurseries, thinking early investment matters most. Truth: Nursery/early primary curriculum differences are minimal. A loving, play-based nursery school for ₦200,000 annually serves a 3-year-old just as well as one costing ₦1,500,000. Save that money for later years when curriculum differences matter more (secondary school, university). **When to Consider Changing Schools** We switched schools, and it was the right decision. Consider changing if: - Your child dreads going to school consistently - No academic progress despite their effort - Bullying that the school won't address - Constant unexplained fees and financial pressure - Your gut says something is wrong Don't stay out of sunk-cost thinking ("we've already paid..."). Your child's wellbeing matters more. **The School Fees Reality** Budget for hidden costs: - Textbooks and materials (₦20,000-₦100,000+) - Uniforms (₦15,000-₦50,000) - Extracurricular activities - School trips and special events - Development levies - Lesson notes, project materials - "Voluntary" contributions (often not voluntary) Schools advertising "₦300,000 annual fees" often mean ₦500,000+ when everything is included. **What Actually Matters Most** After all the research, visits, and experience, here's what genuinely affects your child's education: 1. **Teacher quality and stability** (most important factor) 2. **Class size** (smaller is better for individual attention) 3. **School culture** (caring, inclusive atmosphere) 4. **Your involvement** (engaged parents boost outcomes significantly) 5. **Alignment with your values** (religious, discipline, academic approach) 6. **Sustainability** (can you afford this long-term without destroying your finances?) Curriculum, facilities, and prestige matter far less than these fundamentals. **My Current Approach** For my daughter (now 6), we chose: - A modest but established school (12 years operating) - Nigerian curriculum with British influence (prepares for either path) - 18-22 students per class - Teachers who've been there 4+ years - Strong communication with parents - ₦400,000 annually (manageable without financial stress) - 12 minutes from home It's not the fanciest option. But she's thriving, and we're not broke. **Final Thoughts** The "perfect" school doesn't exist. You're looking for good-enough: a safe, nurturing environment with competent teachers who care about your child's growth. Trust your gut. If a school feels wrong during the tour—even if you can't articulate why—listen to that instinct. Your involvement matters more than the school's name. An engaged parent partnering with a modest school produces better outcomes than a disengaged parent relying on an expensive school to do everything. And remember: people succeed from all types of schools. Your child's character, your family's values, and the security of your love matter far more than whether they learned via British or Nigerian curriculum. Choose wisely, but also give yourself grace. You're doing your best with the information you have—and that's enough.