Have you noticed this in your class?

A child finishes his work, looks at his friend's book and says, "Mummy, why is Tolu's work finer than mine?" Another child says, "Aunty, why did you give Emeka a star and you did not give me?"

Children compare themselves to others. But who taught them to compare?

Let me share what I see in my class.

I have a pupil - let's call her Blessing. Blessing is very good at drawing, but she is slow in writing. Every time she finishes writing, she looks at Tolu's book. If Tolu's work is finer, Blessing will tear her own paper and say, "My own is ugly."

One day I asked her, "Blessing, why did you tear your work?" She said, "Because Tolu's own is finer than my own."

That day I understood - Blessing does not hate her work. She hates that her work is not like Tolu's work.

We teach them to compare without knowing.

Here are 7 ways we teach children to compare, and how to stop it:

1. When We Say "Why Can't You Be Like Tolu?"

This is very common. "Look at Tolu, he has already finished. Why have you not finished?" When we say that, we are telling the child "Tolu is better than you."

Instead, say: "Blessing, you are doing well. Take your time. Your own work is special."

2. When We Clap Only For One Child

If only Tolu gets claps, stars and biscuits, other children will think, "To be loved, I must be like Tolu."

Clap for effort. "Blessing, you tried. Good job! Tolu, you too, good job!" Every child needs encouragement.

3. When We Announce Scores Publicly

"Who scored 10 over 10? Stand up!" The child who scored 5 will bow his head. He will start hating himself.

Instead: Mark privately. Praise privately. "Blessing, you moved from 4 to 6. You are growing!"

4. When We Compare Teachers

"Your former teacher was better." Children hear that. If we compare teachers, they learn to compare friends.

Teach them: Every teacher teaches differently, just like every child learns differently.

5. When We Compare Them At Home

"Your cousin in Lagos has A1, you have C5." This breaks a child's heart. Home should be a safe place, not a competition ground.

At home say: "Your cousin is good. You too are good in your own way. Let's work on yours."

6. When We Display Only The "Best" Work On The Wall

If only Tolu's drawing is on the wall every time, Blessing will think, "My own is not good enough to be on the wall."

Display all work in rotation. Today is Blessing's, tomorrow is Tolu's. Every child deserves to be on the wall.

7. When We Forget To Tell Them "You Are Unique"

God did not create two Blessings. Blessing's fingerprint is different. Blessing's drawing is different. That difference is her power.

Tell children daily: "You are not Tolu. You are Blessing. And Blessing is enough."

Conclusion:

Blessing stopped tearing her paper when I stopped comparing her.

Now when she finishes, I say, "Blessing, show me your special work." She smiles.

No child was born comparing. We teach them to compare by how we praise, how we mark, and how we talk.

Let's teach them to celebrate each other instead.

Let's raise children who say "Well done, Tolu!" and still say "I love my own work too."

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Tags: why children compare, stop comparison in classroom, inclusive classroom Nigeria, self esteem in children, primary school teachers

Yes I call Vdm Antichrist because that is whom he has become in his recent post,

which I believe most of you haven't seen.

Because if you have seen, some of you that is saying "someone who is calling out fake pastors that are scamming people, or performing fake miracles" wont be saying that.

Is mocking your fellow human being deformity, or physically challenged part of calling out fake pastors that is doing fake miracles? What is his concern if a pastor talked about Nigeria needs revival? What is his problem about Nigerians Christianity and prayers?

I'm not trying to defend any man of God, but that his post I saw mocking the facial look of that pastor off me totally.

His recent post talking against prayers and spiritual matters is not just it at all, he is sowing bad seeds in the heart of young Christian's to make them feel discourage on not relying on God's ability, and that is the work of the Antichrist he doesn't even know.

Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has called for further reforms in the Nigeria Police Force after observing differences in policing methods during a recent trip to Ghana.

In a video shared online, the actor revealed that he and his colleagues spent 10 days filming in Ghana and did not encounter a single police checkpoint throughout their journeys, including trips between Takoradi and other locations.

According to him, although police officers were present on Ghanaian roads, they appeared to operate strategically rather than stopping vehicles at frequent checkpoints.

Kanayo commended the Inspector-General of Police for his ongoing reform efforts but urged him to address the conduct of officers who give the force a bad reputation.

He alleged that some dismissed or retired officers had found their way back into the force and called for measures to identify and remove such individuals.

The actor also criticised the tendency of some officers to treat young Nigerians who own expensive cars as suspected internet fraudsters, pointing out that many young people earn legitimate incomes through technology and other businesses.

Speaking from his perspective as a lawyer, Kanayo acknowledged that police officers have the authority to conduct searches but questioned situations where motorists are stopped without reasonable justification.

He urged the police leadership to reduce the number of checkpoints across the country, noting that unnecessary stops and questioning could create an unpleasant experience for tourists and other road users.

Kanayo also condemned criminal activities and praised officers who work diligently to keep Nigerians safe.

He concluded by appealing to the police leadership to improve the force's public image, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force belongs to all Nigerians.

You got to be watchful and do self examination sometimes, ask yourself this thing I am doing is right? If they do this for me in return will I like it?.

Because if you are a person of honesty and full of integrity, not everyone will like you. But if you are doing what they like they will applaud you but non will tell you the truth that you close to a dish, until you fall they will change mouth.

This is the situation of Vdm in his integrity, sometimes he misbehave bcuz the applauding of the youth don dey enter his head.

Let him leave judgment of whoever called himself pastor for God and he should focus on his activism and the fight for injustice.

But God will break his wings. He thinks he is so wise and knows everything but acting in foolishness.

I used to support him and like his activism and how he fight against the misconduct of some individuals who cheats people.

But the moment he started fighting spiritual things and dragging the servants of God he became so irritating to me.

He doesn't know anything concerning spiritual matters, no idea at all, why not stick to your activism and content creating and leave Godly matters?

Indirectly you are fighting against God and no one fight God and win.

If you want to go far in life, redirect your energy to other things and leave church matter.

Our youths are applauding you because you are saying what they want to hear, many of them have itching ear to the word of God already. And you came and started watering the bad seed in them for them not to know God; desist from that now! go and read the account of Saul in the Bible who later became PAUL.

The court hearing on the DNA case involving late singer Mohbad has been adjourned to November 16, 2026, as a family seeking to join the suit raises concerns about the testing process.

In an update on the case, a representative of the party seeking to join the proceedings said a new court-appointed officer had been assigned to address their concerns about the proposed DNA test.

The representative expressed reservations about the centre expected to handle the process, particularly the role of its director, who he said had also been involved in an earlier DNA-related request.

He questioned whether the centre would conduct the test or merely collect samples before sending them to another laboratory. He said they wanted clarity on where the samples would be taken, how they would be collected and handled, and how long it would take to transfer them to the testing facility.

He further claimed that an earlier sample transfer took between six and eight months. According to him, the Alaba family later contacted the facility reportedly responsible for the examination and was told it had not received samples relating to Buford or Ejero. The result eventually returned was inconclusive, he said.

The representative said the newly appointed officer had listened to their concerns and promised to investigate the issues and report back. He added that they would await her response before deciding on their next move.

He stressed that they wanted the DNA test conducted as soon as possible but insisted that the process must be transparent and its integrity assured.

A young woman has confronted a man who allegedly touched her inappropriately while she was on her way to her hostel.

According to reports shared online, the woman was heading to her hostel when the man allegedly grabbed her buttocks and attempted to flee the scene.

The woman immediately raised an alarm, leading to the man being apprehended.

In a video circulating online, the visibly upset woman confronted him over his actions, questioning why he would touch her without her consent and attempt to escape.

The man was seen pleading for forgiveness as she continued to question his behaviour.