Fresh insights from Canada are fuelling debate among educators and policymakers, advocating reforms that expand access to diverse learning options within the K–12 system. A new poll conducted for SecondStreet.org by Leger shows that 53% of Canadians believe the K–12 system has gone in the wrong direction over the past 20 years.
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Only about one in four respondents expressed confidence that the system is on the right track.
Only about one in four respondents expressed confidence that the system is on the right track. This marks a sharp decline from 2020, when only 32% of respondents thought the system was failing, indicating a growing dissatisfaction with the quality of public education.
The latest data show Canadians are concerned about how core subjects such as reading, writing and mathematics are taught. Since the 1990s, Canada’s public schools have shifted from “structured literacy” based on phonics toward a “balanced literacy approach” that encourages students to guess words using pictures. This shift has led to a documented decline in literacy rates.
Similarly, public schools changed mathematics instruction, moving away from rote memorisation and times tables to “discovery mathematics.” This method encourages students to find their own problem-solving approaches without first mastering basic arithmetic. Consequently, 56% of poll respondents believe schools should return to traditional teaching methods.
The educational shift is reflected in Nigeria, where many schools no longer teach times tables as a formal subject, opting instead for mental drills. Furthermore, while 72% of Canadians favour a return to traditional responses for misconduct—such as suspensions or referrals to the principal—Nigeria is moving toward stricter prohibitions on physical correction.
In Lagos, the state government has reaffirmed laws against corporal punishment. Basic and Secondary Education commissioner Jamiu Alli-Balogun stated that counselling has replaced flogging as the primary measure of correction. “There is a policy here in Lagos and other parts of the country prohibiting teachers from giving corporal punishment,” Alli-Balogun said.
Despite official prohibitions, some educators and parents argue that the lack of strict consequences undermines school sanity. Teacher Gloria Akinsola noted that corporal punishment can serve as a deterrent for students who “imitate negatively.” Parent Gift Oshikoya expressed concerns that a total ban might encourage bullying and lead children to test boundaries.
As countries such as Canada lead the conversation on returning to structured learning and firm discipline, the broader question remains how Nigeria will redefine its K–12 system. Experts suggest a rethink is necessary to ensure students are prepared for a future of independence rather than political subservience.
