Excessive Academic Demands: Students Struggle With Overloaded Curriculum as Schools Impose More Subjects, Homeworks
Parents and educators are raising concerns over what they describe as excessive academic demands placed on secondary school students, particularly in some private institutions and segments of the public system, where pupils are reportedly overwhelmed by the number of subjects and take-home assignments they are required to handle.
For years, students in parts of Nigeria were asked to study as many as 15 to 20 subjects, depending on the school.
In some cases, additional electives and internal school requirements pushed the number even higher than national recommendations.
Critics say this created long school hours, packed timetables, and constant pressure to keep up with numerous textbooks and class notes.
Parents in cities such as Lagos and Abuja have voiced concerns that children return home exhausted, only to face multiple assignments across different subjects in one evening.
Some families report that students receive five to seven homework tasks in a single day, leaving little time for rest, play, or creative activities.
Many children stay up late to complete assignments, cutting into sleep time that experts say is essential for mental development and emotional well-being.
Education stakeholders have long argued that subject overload encourages surface learning rather than deep understanding. Instead of mastering key concepts, students may rush through wide-ranging material simply to meet deadlines.
The pressure to perform across numerous subjects, combined with frequent testing and homework, can contribute to stress, anxiety, and reduced motivation.
Recognizing these challenges, the Federal Government recently introduced a revised national curriculum designed to reduce the number of subjects and streamline content.
Under the updated structure, Junior Secondary School students are expected to study between 12 and 14 subjects, while Senior Secondary School students are limited to about eight or nine subjects aligned with their academic pathways. The reform aims to lighten the academic load and promote more focused learning.
However, observers say implementation has not been uniform. Some private schools, eager to maintain reputations for academic excellence, are accused of retaining heavier subject combinations or assigning extensive homework beyond recommended guidelines.
In certain public schools, limited oversight and pressure to prepare students for competitive examinations may also contribute to demanding workloads.
Education experts note that reducing the number of subjects alone may not fully solve the problem.
They argue that schools must also review homework policies, teaching methods, and assessment practices to ensure that students have adequate time to rest and process what they learn.
Balanced academic schedules, they say, are essential not only for performance but also for mental health and overall development.
As the new curriculum rolls out nationwide, many parents hope it will bring meaningful relief to students who have long struggled under heavy academic burdens.
For now, conversations about workload, mental well-being, and the right balance between excellence and exhaustion continue across Nigeria’s education sector.