Karu, Nasarawa State, August 24, 2025 – Teachers in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have issued a clarion call to parents to take a more active role in instilling moral virtues in their children, emphasizing that a strong family foundation is essential for building an effective and decent society. In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, educators underscored the critical role of parents in shaping the moral and ethical development of their children, arguing that while teachers play a significant part in imparting knowledge, the primary responsibility for nurturing good character lies with parents. This call comes amid growing concerns about declining moral standards and the increasing prevalence of societal vices, which many attribute to inadequate parental guidance during children’s formative years.
The Vital Role of Parents in Shaping Future Leaders
The teachers’ appeal highlights a fundamental truth: the family is the first and most influential institution in a child’s life. They argue that parents, as the primary caregivers, have a unique opportunity and responsibility to instill values such as integrity, empathy, and responsibility in their children. These virtues, they contend, form the bedrock of a just and progressive society. The educators stressed that while schools provide academic instruction and some level of moral guidance, there are limits to what teachers can achieve without robust parental involvement.
Mrs. Blessing Onuh, a teacher at Lyngra Montessori Schools and a mother of three, articulated the importance of early moral education in shaping the future of both individuals and the nation. Quoting the popular saying, “Children are the leaders of tomorrow,” Onuh posed a critical question: “What does the future hold when those expected to lead are not properly guided or schooled to take up the responsibility?” She emphasized that the future of any nation depends heavily on the quality of its youth, and parents must be deliberate in nurturing children with strong moral foundations.
Onuh explained that the family serves as the first point of contact with society, making it the ideal environment for introducing children to ethical principles. “The child is first received in the family before he or she gets to the larger society, and as such, good moral virtues should be introduced to the child in his or her early years,” she said. She advocated for parents to spend quality time with their children, particularly during their formative years, to ensure they develop into responsible citizens. According to Onuh, children who lack proper guidance during these critical years often develop a “myopic mindset,” making them susceptible to negative influences and societal vices such as crime, dishonesty, and disrespect.
The Consequences of Neglecting Moral Education
The teachers warned that failing to instill moral values in children can have far-reaching consequences for society. Onuh noted that children who grow up without a strong moral compass are easily swayed by negative influences, which contribute to the “bad vices we see in the society today.” These vices, ranging from juvenile delinquency to corruption, are often rooted in the absence of early parental guidance. When children are not taught to distinguish between right and wrong, they may struggle to navigate the complexities of societal expectations, leading to behaviors that undermine the common good.
The educators also pointed out that the lack of moral grounding can perpetuate a cycle of dysfunction, as children who grow up without proper values may struggle to raise their own children responsibly. This cycle, they argue, poses a significant threat to the social fabric of Nigeria, a country already grappling with challenges such as corruption, insecurity, and social inequality. By prioritizing moral education, parents can break this cycle and contribute to the creation of a more ethical and cohesive society.
Teachers’ Perspectives on Parental Responsibility
Mrs. Alice Gabriel, a teacher at Junior Secondary School in Nyanya, Abuja, echoed Onuh’s sentiments, urging parents to assume greater responsibility in raising their children. Gabriel emphasized the importance of creating a stable and nurturing home environment where children can thrive. “Parents should strive to create a stable and loving home where children can thrive,” she said. She advocated for parents to serve as role models, demonstrating good behavior and values for their children to emulate.
Gabriel highlighted specific moral values that parents should prioritize, including integrity, dignity, and hard work. She suggested practical ways for parents to instill these values, such as teaching children how to save money, perform household chores, and acquire practical skills during holidays. “Parents should encourage children to develop good character traits, such as empathy, kindness, and responsibility through open and honest conversations with their children about the difference between right and wrong,” she added. These conversations, she argued, are essential for helping children internalize ethical principles and apply them in their daily lives.
Similarly, Mr. Joshua Ozomata, a principal at Victory Kiddies International Schools in New Karu, emphasized the importance of family bonding in fostering children’s moral and emotional development. He encouraged parents to create time to strengthen family ties, as this allows them to identify their children’s strengths and weaknesses. “Through bonding, they can discover the strengths and weaknesses of their children and apply discipline, caution, guidance, and encouragement where necessary,” Ozomata said. He also advocated for involving children in decision-making processes that affect their lives, as this fosters a sense of responsibility and agency.
Leveraging Holiday Periods for Moral Growth
Mrs. Felicia Ajah, a retired teacher and supervisor, offered additional insights, urging parents to make effective use of holiday periods to engage with their children. She suggested that holidays provide a unique opportunity for parents to observe their children closely and guide their development. Ajah also recommended traveling with children to expose them to new environments, cultures, and experiences. “Traveling to another location with your child is very good and also an adventure,” she said. “Such children get to learn new things, meet relatives, new friends, and experience behavioral change.”
Ajah emphasized that exposure to new environments can broaden a child’s perspective and enhance their understanding of the world. However, she cautioned that parents must remain vigilant in guiding their children to make the right choices, as they will eventually grow up to make decisions independently. “Of course, as parents, your duty is to guide them to the right path because they will definitely grow to live on their own and make decisions by themselves,” she said.
Quoting the biblical proverb, “Spare the rod, spoil the child,” Ajah stressed the importance of disciplining children in love when they misbehave. She warned against overlooking bad behavior, as this can lead to negative outcomes that reflect poorly on both the family and society. “Every behavior of a child, either good or bad, will also reflect in the society, because they are the product of the society,” she said. Ajah urged parents to take full responsibility for their children’s upbringing, cautioning against delegating this critical task solely to teachers or caregivers.
The Broader Societal Implications
The teachers’ call for parental involvement in moral education comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a range of social challenges, including rising crime rates, corruption, and a decline in civic values. They argue that many of these issues can be traced back to deficiencies in early childhood upbringing, where values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility are either nurtured or neglected. By prioritizing moral education, parents can help cultivate a generation of citizens who are equipped to contribute positively to society.
The educators also highlighted the interconnectedness of the family and society, noting that the values instilled in children at home shape their interactions in the broader community. A child raised with integrity and empathy is more likely to become a responsible adult who upholds the rule of law, respects others, and contributes to the common good. Conversely, children who grow up without proper guidance may engage in behaviors that undermine social cohesion, perpetuating a cycle of dysfunction.
Challenges in Modern Parenting
The teachers acknowledged that modern parenting comes with its own set of challenges, including economic pressures, time constraints, and the influence of technology. Many parents in Karu, like elsewhere in Nigeria, work long hours to provide for their families, leaving little time for meaningful engagement with their children. The rise of digital media and social platforms has also introduced new challenges, as children are exposed to a wide range of influences, some of which may conflict with traditional moral values.
To address these challenges, the educators called for a collaborative approach between parents, teachers, and community leaders. They emphasized that while parents bear the primary responsibility for moral education, schools and communities can play a supportive role by reinforcing positive values. For example, schools can incorporate character education into their curricula, while community organizations can provide programs that promote ethical behavior and civic responsibility.
The Role of Teachers and Schools
While the teachers underscored the primacy of parental responsibility, they also acknowledged their own role in shaping children’s moral development. Schools provide a structured environment where children learn not only academic skills but also social and ethical values. However, the teachers stressed that their influence is limited compared to that of parents, who remain the constant presence in a child’s life until adulthood. “Teachers might come and go, but the child remains in the care of parents,” Onuh noted, highlighting the enduring impact of parental guidance.
To complement parental efforts, the teachers suggested that schools could organize workshops and seminars to educate parents on effective child-rearing practices. These initiatives could provide parents with practical tools and strategies for instilling moral values, managing behavioral challenges, and fostering open communication with their children. By working together, parents and teachers can create a supportive ecosystem that nurtures the holistic development of children.
A Call for Collective Action
The teachers’ appeal is a call to action for all stakeholders—parents, educators, community leaders, and policymakers—to prioritize the moral upbringing of children. They argue that building a decent and effective society requires a collective effort to ensure that the next generation is equipped with the values and skills needed to lead responsibly. This includes addressing systemic issues such as poverty and lack of access to education, which can hinder parents’ ability to provide a stable and nurturing environment.
The educators also urged policymakers to support initiatives that strengthen families, such as providing economic assistance, improving access to quality education, and promoting community-based programs that foster moral and civic values. By investing in families and communities, the government can help create an enabling environment for raising responsible and ethical citizens.
The call by teachers in Karu Local Government Area for parents to instill moral virtues in their children is a timely and urgent reminder of the critical role of the family in shaping society. As Nigeria navigates its complex social and economic challenges, the importance of raising children with strong moral foundations cannot be overstated. The insights shared by educators like Mrs. Blessing Onuh, Mrs. Alice Gabriel, Mr. Joshua Ozomata, and Mrs. Felicia Ajah highlight the need for parents to be deliberate, proactive, and engaged in their children’s upbringing.
By fostering values such as integrity, empathy, and responsibility, parents can help build a generation of leaders who are equipped to create a just and prosperous society. The teachers’ recommendations—ranging from spending quality time with children to modeling good behavior and leveraging holiday periods for growth—offer practical guidance for parents seeking to fulfill this responsibility. As Karu and Nigeria as a whole strive for a better future, the collective efforts of families, schools, and communities will be essential in nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.
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