Africa-Press – Botswana. It is imperative for parents and legal guardians of children to actively participate in their upbringing, shaping them into individuals who will contribute positively to the nation.
Ms Letshedile Kokoro, head of Grace Kgari Primary School, said this during a parents’ workshop, aimed at sensitising parents and guardians about proper childcare and upbringing. Ms Kokoro said parenting was the foundation of a child; and whatever they experience in childhood shapes their character in adulthood.
She cautioned parents against using electronics to raise their children, noting that some parents allow their children to watch telenovelas on television for extended periods. She observed that some children often watched television until late at night, resulting in them falling asleep in class the next morning.
She encouraged parents to adopt a holistic approach to parenting and ensure that they address all key areas of a child’s well-being, including social, mental, physical and academic aspects. Guidance and Counselling teacher Ms Dineo Loeto said that pupils expressed concerns about bullying at home, mainly by their elder siblings.
She warned that the rampant alcohol and drug abuse which children are exposed to negative affect their academics and social lives. Ms Loeto said that some children grew up in homes where alcohol was sold, and this exposed them to constant vulgar language from patrons, with some even going to the extent of abusing them physically and making sexual advances towards them.
She said some pupils complained about noise pollution and health hazards brought about by being in an environment where alcohol is traded, citing that the extreme noise hinders learners from studying and disrupted their academic schedules. She disclosed that some children alleged that their own parents routinely sent them to buy and sell alcohol and drugs, which greatly disturbs their academic pursuits.
Constable Onkemetse Mafote of the Gender and Child Protection Unit at Serowe Police Station said that parents were often perpetrators in cases involving minors.
She said the number of reported cases between the years 2023 and 2024 were 76 and 91 for defilement, 41 and 42 for rape, 29 and 46 for child neglect respectively, and four for poor treatment of children. The statistics presented by Ms Mafote showed an increase in crimes against minors.
She cautioned parents against ignoring issues of child abuse and assault, stating that should the police discover that someone knew about a situation involving abuse or assault of a minor and did not report it, that person could be charged and incarcerated. She encouraged parents to familiarise themselves with the Children’s Act to understand the law’s stance on the rights of children.
Ms Gorata Baisi, a social worker, reminded parents of the great need to display positive behaviour and lifestyle, as children often emulate their parents while growing up. Ms Baisi said children were in most cases left alone to raise their younger siblings or are raised by grandparents, which negatively affected their overall well-being and the adults they become.
She quoted instances where parents broke up and use their children as weapons to fight their battles and bitterness. She implored parents to befriend their children to weed out potential threats against their well-being, highlighting that oftentimes, sexual predators are people children know. She pleaded with parents to lead a positive lifestyle and be hands-on in the upbringing of their children.
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