Evolution of In-Loco Parentis and Students’ Development in Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the evolution of in-loco parentis and students’ development in Nigeria: A case study of selected Public and Private School in Lagos State. The objective of the study is to examine teachers’ role as a replacement or surrogate Parents for Students and to investigate the differences between Parents and in-loco Parentis in administration of students’ discipline. This paper examined the definition and history of in loco parentis and explore its influence on student affairs practice, the school rules and regulations for Students, appraise Child’s Right Law as stated in the official gazette of Lagos State, which includes: Child right to parental care, child right to education, right of a child in need of special protection in the School, responsibilities of the child and duty of parents with respect to child responsibilities. This paper highlighted Teachers’ role as a replacement or surrogate parent, teacher and cases of in loco parentis and Students’ development. And, also looked ta the responsibilities in-loco Parentis in Secondary Schools education and evolution of in-loco Parentis and Students’ growth. The population of Teachers used was two hundred and forty (240) out of which one hundred and ten were retrieved. Three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated and tested with the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. From the findings of this study revealed there is a significant role Teachers play as a replacement or surrogate parents for Students. This study concluded that guardians or surrogate Parents are aware of the legal implication and their role in administration of Students’ discipline. As such, the researcher recommends that Schools management should develop a clear, cohesive, and comprehensive definition of the Institution-Student-Parent relationship and define the level of involvement the Schools will have in the Student-Parent relationship. The paper also emphasized that it is also important that this role is consistent across all Schools.