PLIGHTS OF STUDENT MOMS; The Help They Need – Elisha Chebwawaza Gideon(ElishaJnr ProCreative):

Student moms are women who are pursuing their education while raising children. These women often face unique challenges, such as finding childcare and managing their time effectively. Despite these challenges, student moms are determined to achieve their goals and provide a better life for themselves and for their families.

To begin with, education is a fundamental right for everyone irrespective of gender and this includes women. Although It’s sad having huge number of illiterate women in our society; it is a great loss to the society and the world at large. Every girl and woman, whether rich, poor, young, elderly, married, single, widowed or of any other social position has the right to an education. Education is a fundamental right, but in Nigeria it becomes a privilege because only the few have access to it.

To this, I’ve decided to take the bull bythe horn to be educated. Talking to a Student Mom from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai Niger State, Mercy, In her words said “We took the necessary steps to gain admission and all we require is a safe and sound educational system especially for student moms. Being a student at the same time being a mother is demanding, not to talk of the additional stress from extra curriculum activities.

We are first humans before being students and Mothers. Over the years we’ve heard stories of how student moms are being unfairly treated in various Nigerian universities and polytechnics. We’ve heard of cases that some lecturers do not allow women with babies in their lecture halls probably due to frequent cry from babies of student moms or for some other reasons personal to the lecturers. Should such student mom now stay back at home because of that and miss lectures or probably impromptu test and at the long run affecting her general performance in school?
Some lecturers don’t even listen to any excuse you have to present probably due to a case of missed test or assignment caused as a result of having a bato take care of at the same time being a student.

Relationship of students’ mom with their colleagues is on a scale of 3 out of 10 because most students don’t just want to associate with students who have breastfeeding babies. I believe Nigeria school system can do much more better to make learning easier, safe and sound for women with infants. It’s of great concern to state that there are only few lecturers and friends who are ever ready to be of help in one way or the order to female students with babies at hand.

We’ve seen and heard of cases where some lecturers are of great encouragement to student moms. A student mom once said, “We are already a motivation to ourselves but we still need much more to keep us on track”. A well-educated woman will always be more productive and well-paid at work to enhance her family well-being. So women in school with babies should not be relegated.

Look around you, you have one or two student mom around especially in your school, ask of how best you can be of help to them. Our lecturer can do much more better too.

My advice to all student moms is to take things one step at a time and to be kind to yourself. Remember that you are doing something incredible bypursuing your education while raising a child. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and don’t forget to take time for yourself as well.
I also think it’s important for institutions to provide support for student moms, such as on-campus childcare and flexible scheduling. Bydoing so, institutions can help student moms achieve their goals and make a positive impact on their families and communities. – Elisha Chebwawaza Gideon(ElishaJnr ProCreative)