Children and Their Education

"Must your child[ren] graduate with a first-class?"
_{By @ukpono • 9 June 2025}

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There is a popular belief that good grades are not a primary determinant of real-world success.

I was in my first year when a senior colleague encouraged us to strive for at least a second-class upper division.

My inquisitive classmate put up his hands and asked,
“What about a first-class?”

The class started grumbling,

"Where do you see jobs these days?"

"Why toil so hard when you will gain nothing after graduation?"

“All these ‘I-too-sabis’. They are back again”.

“Look at this one. Does this look like an advanced secondary school? Mtchew!”

While the senior colleague tried to respond to his concerns, I thought about the fate of most young people in that room.

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I had people tell me time and time again that excelling academically was a total waste of time and energy.

They will say,
"See Brother Kufre. He graduated with a first-class in Petroleum Engineering. But look where he is today. He is riding keke just to make ends meet".

They argued that employers need practical experiences.

“Ukpono, do you think employers accept those nerds who lack practical skills? Na so so book and big grammar fill their head. Nothing more!”

So, getting into the university and seeing more young people begin to slack academically, didn't surprise me that much.

They were fed this same lie apparently.

_{Photo credit: Canva}
Do you know that some students no longer desired A grades. They just wanted to have "at least a B or C".

"If only I could have a C or D in this course, I'd be so happy".

"I just need at least 50 points and I'd be fine".

It dawned on me one morning that there are a bazillion of opportunities available for high-flyers.

I saw incredibly smart student bag scholarships and spaces in tier-one firms because they proved to be diligent and committed to their personal development.

My message to every parent and young person reading this.

1 . Please do not let anyone discourage you from pursuing excellence, both in your academics and business.

There is a saying that "If you must do anything, then you must be well".

Not half-baked. Not shabby.

2 . Maximise holidays

Holidays are for rest. But kids and young people can use this period to learn other skills like coding, graphics design or sport.

They can visit places, intern at firms or teach others what they already know.

The goal is to ensure that they build valuable skills even before graduating from high school. This is incredibly important for those who wish to further their education.

Dear gentle reader

It is better to have something in abundance and not need it, than need it and not have it.

So many young people are saying "had I known" today after discovering that education is not merely a true test of knowledge, but rather, a simple true test of your diligence and commitment to success.