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It is amazing what happens to our children behind the school walls when the parents have gone their different ways, happy and content in their confidence that there wards are in good hands.

They expect based on what they are paying for, a finished product, complete with label and all which would read; so and so, product of so and so school and manufactured in so and so year. Don't ask me about the expiry date, only Allaah knows that!

Like the made in you-know-where products, if the child is not properly cultured and nurtured, grown with the right nourishment of mind and body, given the chance flower into a healthy, sound and well balanced individual, he will be mass produced, cheap and unable to face the rigors of the purpose of being created in the first place.

Studies show that early childhood experiences have a major role to play in child development, that is why the early years in a child's life are indeed very critical.

The child begins to form attitudes and behavioral patterns based on interplay between his environment and his hereditary. The hereditary are factors like the Qadar (Destiny) of Allaah, genes, physiology, among other things that predetermine certain thought patterns and behaviors exhibited by the child and which cannot be denied even if the child wanted to.

The environment on the other hand has to do with who the child sees, interacts with, living conditions, relationships around him among other things. This is of course also governed by the knowledge and power of Allaah as nothing happens except that Allaah has permitted it.

Choosing a child's school is therefore something that goes beyond the school's high sounding name and forex paid bills, nor should it be just any school that has some chairs, teaches the children the national anthem or gives them something to keep them busy in the name of homework after school.

It should not be just the convenience of the parent over careful, good and guided judgment.

The consequences of a careless moment of making the choice could cost one the joy of a life time.

I had just finished preparing lunch when my husband brought the children home from school. I had looked forward to seeing them, (you always do!) I was usually glad to see their innocent smiles, and hug their small warm bodies at least until they begin, the Olympic games rehearsals in my sitting room!

But strangely though that afternoon, I didn't hear the shouts of 'Asalam Alaykum Mama!' or 'Mama! Akin punched me in the mouth today! Instead, my husband

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