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There has been a lot of debate on a video that went viral of a father beating his son for failing and missing his exams where he is spending 21K on tuition per term.
I can't help but reflect on my childhood where I struggled alot in school
I can't help but reflect on my childhood where I struggled alot in school
My peers were getting aggregate 4 in Primary one and two while I was busy flanking. I could barely write, read or count. It was so bad to the extent that I had to repeat Primary One if it wasn't for my dad transferring me to another school.
I couldn't properly spell or respond to my name. I was constantly shamed by my family members and beaten by teachers who thought I was just lazy and careless. Due to my struggles, I lost interest in school. Why bother when I was clearly stuck?
I thought to myself that if school doesn't work out I could try acting or music, but my mum , noticing that I needed extra help and attention with school work started home schooling me, my dad also paid teachers for extra coaching lessons.
Slowly, I moved from a terrible student to an average. In my S.5 at Gayaza, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. Immediately I was given the special needs I need and ended up among the top 5 best performing students in UNEB from the school.
Often times mental health and mental disabilities go unnoticed, and learning challenges are wrongly diagnosed, leading to consistent shaming and low self esteem in the growing child. Perhaps serious attention should be given to mental health and capacity.
Also, violence doesn't solve anything. It doesn't help get to the root of the problem. Instead it creates a wage between a parent and the child. It's always better to discuss with your child and find out what they are feeling
