01/07/2025
Olumicoye's Experiences as a Teacher of Teenagers
Dear Parents and Guidance of Girl Child,
Female students need extra guide from their parents. As you will believe with me, female children mature faster, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Because of these, they often face unique vulnerabilities at a much earlier age.
I’ve been teaching for over a decade now, and from my earliest years in the classroom, especially in senior secondary school, I observed something deeply troubling.
As a ready to do teacher, you enter a classroom with great commitment and readiness to teach your subject, and then, midway into your first appearance, a hand goes up. But instead of a question related to the topic, you hear:
"Sir, I have something to say o"
"What I want to say is not relating to what you are teaching us o"
Teacher: Okay. Please, speak.
“Sir, I like your trousers.”
“You look handsome today.”
Another female student 👇
“Are you married?”
“How old are you?”
Another student 👇
"Are you into a serious relationship?"
These are not academic questions for crying loud. They are signs. Signs that these children are at a sensitive stage of self-discovery. Their minds are searching for validation, attention, affection—even if they don’t understand it fully. Without the right guidance, they may seek it in the wrong places.
Two female student from different schools once walked into my office after school hours, telling me that they weren't kids as I may see them.
Another female student wrote me a lot of letters inorder to reveal her feelings to me. These are effects of teen-ages. Let's not take advantage of them. They actually don't know what they are doing, but they may seem serious with it.
That is why parents must be vigilant, not overbearing, but intentionally present. Don’t just buy them clothes, pay their fees, and think your job is well done. Talk to your daughters. Guide them. Warn them. Watch them. Be their safe space.
And to my fellow male teachers, I speak with a heavy heart: not every compliment is an invitation. Not every glance is a green light. You are not just a teacher of subjects, you are a teacher of values.
Be disciplined.
Be responsible.
These girls are not temptations; they are someone’s daughter, someone’s hope, someone’s entire world. Please, don’t be the one who ruins that world.
If we fail to mentor these girls with integrity, tomorrow might question us.
This is a call out to parents and guardians.
