'Teach children essential household chores, practical life skills'
"Expose your children to extracurricular activities outside the school environment. These play an important role in shaping children's character, talents, discipline and sense of responsibility, advised Kato, as Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said children who have started their second-term holidays require close supervision as they spend more time away from school.
Kato encouraged parents to train children in activities such as washing, cleaning, gardening, digging and other household responsibilities to better their growth into responsible citizens.
KAMPALA - Parents have been urged to use the school holidays to teach their children essential household chores and practical life skills.
"Children spend a significant part of the year at school concentrating on academics and, therefore, there is need to use their time at home during holidays to learn practical skills," remarked Daphine Kato, the Kampala Parents School Principal.
She encouraged parents to train children in activities such as washing, cleaning, gardening, digging and other household responsibilities to better their growth into responsible citizens.
Kato made the remarks at the school premises in Kampala during the celebration of the school’s Culture Day, held at the institution's dining hall, an event that attracted several parents, including the proprietor, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia and pupils who turned up dressed in traditional attire representing the different regions and cultural backgrounds from which they originate.
She emphasised that children should be equipped with both academic knowledge and practical life skills because they are the leaders of tomorrow. According to her, giving children responsibilities at home and encouraging them to participate in different activities can help them grow into responsible, independent and well-rounded citizens.
Children were smartly dressed in their traditional attires.
Police warn
Kato's call comes days after the Uganda Police Force warned parents and guardians to heighten supervision of children during the ongoing school holidays, citing increased risks of sexual abuse, neglect, child labour and other offences against children.
“While the holiday period offers children time to rest, reconnect with families and participate in positive activities, it also presents heightened risks to their safety, welfare and protection,” Kituuma said.
He said police routinely register cases involving violations of children’s rights, sexual violence, neglect, harmful child labour, accidents and other offences committed against or among children during holidays.
Kituuma particularly warned parents about sexual abuse, saying perpetrators are often people known and trusted by children or their families, including relatives, guardians, neighbours and employees.
“Parents and guardians are urged to know where their children are, whom they associate with, and to take seriously any change in behaviour, fear, unexplained injuries, withdrawal or disclosure by a child,” he said.
He urged parents not to leave children in the care of people whose character, conduct or surroundings raise concerns, while communities should remain vigilant about places where children could be exposed to exploitation, alcohol, drugs or predatory adults.