Lacuna in the Practice of In-Loco-Parentis in Nigerian Schools: The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

Abstract

The principle of in-loco-parentis allows the teachers assume the responsibilities of a parent in discharging their duties in school. Based on this same principle, parents also have the right to sue teachers, school management, or the government for negligence, recklessness and other practices which do not depict the proper practice of in-loco-parentis. However, parents seem to also be engaged in certain practices that may not promote the proper practice of in-loco-parentis. This actually depicts a scenario of the pot calling the kettle black as parents accuse teachers for being guilty of unsafe practices they are also guilty of. The aim of this paper was to bring to light unsafe practices parents are engaged in, which do not promote the proper practice of in-loco-parentis in schools. .

Keywords: Lacuna; practice of in-loco-parentis; pot calling kettle black.