Parents and guardians urged to teach children respect for teachers while encouraging them to report genuine concerns through appropriate channelsParents and guardians have been urged to deliberately teach their wards the importance of respecting and honouring their teachers as part of the process of raising responsible, disciplined and security-conscious children.
The advice was given by security expert and public safety advocate, Moruf Yusuf, popularly known as Ojogbon, in Series #143 of The Secure Mind, titled “Teach Your Wards to Honour Their Teachers.”
Yusuf said parents and guardians have a significant responsibility in shaping the minds, attitudes and behaviour of their children, stressing that one of the most effective ways to achieve this is through deliberate guidance, correction and consistent communication at home.
He encouraged parents to sit their children down and clearly explain the important role teachers play in their education and personal development.
According to him, parents can reinforce this lesson by telling their children: “My child, your teachers are your guiding lights. Respect them, listen to them, and conduct yourself properly in their presence.”
Yusuf explained that teachers are not merely people who deliver academic lessons in the classroom. They also contribute to the development of children's character, discipline, knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
He therefore advised parents to help their wards appreciate the efforts of teachers and understand that legitimate instructions given in school are often intended to promote learning, order and responsible behaviour.
The security expert noted that children should not be left to make decisions based solely on what they feel is right at any particular moment. He said they require proper guidance, correction and direction from both parents and guardians as they gradually develop the ability to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.
He, however, cautioned parents against undermining teachers in the presence of their children.
According to Yusuf, parents should be careful about the words they use when discussing teachers at home because children listen closely to the opinions and attitudes of adults around them.
He warned that repeatedly speaking negatively about a teacher without good reason can create an unhealthy perception of authority in the mind of a child.
When parents constantly criticise teachers, insult them or dismiss their instructions in front of their children, the children may begin to believe that disrespect and disobedience are acceptable responses to authority.
Such children may subsequently challenge teachers, refuse to follow legitimate instructions, engage in confrontational behaviour or use their parents' comments as justification for misconduct at school.
Yusuf stressed that parents should therefore avoid making careless statements about teachers, especially when children are present.
He also urged parents not to allow personal disagreements with a teacher or school authority to become an excuse for their wards to disrespect those entrusted with their education.
Where a genuine concern exists, he advised parents to address the matter maturely and through the appropriate channels rather than encouraging the child to confront or disrespect the teacher.
He said children should equally be taught that respecting teachers does not mean they should remain silent when they experience inappropriate treatment, bullying, abuse or any other legitimate concern.
Instead, they should be encouraged to report such matters to their parents, guardians, school authorities or other appropriate persons who can properly investigate and address the situation.
According to him, this balanced approach teaches children two important lessons: respect for legitimate authority and the confidence to speak up appropriately when something is wrong.
Yusuf noted that the home and school are two important environments in a child's development and that cooperation between parents and teachers can significantly influence the child's behaviour and attitude towards learning.
He urged parents to build constructive relationships with teachers and avoid situations where children are encouraged to see their parents and teachers as being on opposite sides.
A security-conscious parent, he said, understands that the words spoken at home can influence a child's behaviour outside the home.
“Children are watching and listening,” Yusuf noted in his message, stressing that parents should therefore recognise the power of their examples and conversations in shaping their wards' attitudes.
He encouraged parents to demonstrate respect in their own interactions with teachers, school administrators and other authority figures because children are more likely to copy what they observe than simply follow what they are told.
He further advised parents to teach their wards simple but important values such as listening when others are speaking, following legitimate instructions, speaking respectfully, asking questions appropriately, accepting correction and resolving disagreements peacefully.
These habits, he explained, can help children develop emotional maturity and the ability to relate responsibly with people in different environments.
The security expert also linked responsible behaviour in school to broader personal safety. Children who understand boundaries, respect legitimate authority and know how to communicate their concerns appropriately may be better equipped to navigate challenging situations and seek help when necessary.
He said character formation should therefore be regarded as an important aspect of security consciousness because a child's attitude, choices and relationships can influence the risks they encounter and how they respond to them.
Yusuf reminded parents that teachers are working to prepare children for a brighter future and should consequently be accorded the respect due to their position and responsibility.
He said parents should not leave the responsibility of character formation entirely to schools but should work alongside teachers to ensure that children receive consistent messages about discipline, respect and responsibility.
He maintained that when parents deliberately instil respect for teachers in their wards, they are not only promoting better classroom behaviour but also helping to develop individuals who understand responsibility, authority and peaceful coexistence.
The Secure Mind series continues to encourage preventive thinking, responsible conduct and security awareness, with emphasis on the role individuals and families can play in creating safer communities.
Yusuf urged parents and guardians to take the training of their children seriously, noting that the values instilled during childhood can have lasting effects on the kind of adults they eventually become.
Quote:
“Teachers deserve to be accorded due respect by the wards they strive to launch into a brighter future.”
Just be good. Reflect. Stay alert.
Moruf Yusuf (Ojogbon)
ANIPR, MISN, FCAI, FIIM, MSPSP
📧 maarufism@gmail.com | thesecuremind2026@gmail.com
📞 +2348035479930, +2348028286064
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Thursday, 3rd September, 2026
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