As Christmas festivities continue to draw nearer, parents and guardians have been called upon to prioritise the safety and well-being of their children by closely monitoring their movements and company.

Education stakeholders expressed concerns that quit often, school-going children become the most vulnerable to drug peddlers who exploit them in their unlawful dealings.

The educationists emphasized the importance of shielding children from risky behaviours and negative influences saying that parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children are safe and protected during the season of merry.

Addressing form four leavers at Zetech University main campus in Ruiru, Kiambu County, the concerned stakeholders singled out uptake of drug and substance abuse, fornication, petty crimes, and other forms of social deviance as key areas that parents should protect their children from.

“Parents have a singular responsibility this season, to protect and monitor their children moves and activities. While we understand that most of them are still busy pursuing careers and wealth, the duty to protect children from anti-social vices and immoralities remains theirs.

During the holiday, parents should embark on giving children proper advice and moral support as well as talking to them whenever they seem to be bothered with problems. It will be regrettable to witness cases of innocent children engaging into anti-social behaviors such as alcoholism,” Dr Henry Kiogora, a don at Zetech University said.

The Business and Economics don, who noted that teenage pregnancies was becoming prevalent in the country challenged parents to especially protect their girls from being preyed on during the Christmas holiday.

He told parents to have an open communication and create time for their teenage children as a protective measure so that the kids can confide to them their issues.

On her part, Veronica Kamau called on the society to take up responsibility of taking care of children saying it too has a role to play in ensuring that children are safe and at the right place at all time.

Kamau noted that children are more vulnerability during long holidays due to their increased free time and the temptations that come with it and urged parents to keep them actively engaged in constructive activities such as participating in church programmes such as seminars, and conferences; household chores; and hobbies to keep them occupied.

“We also urge our police to be on high alert and beef up patrols in all corners of the country especially on social joints such as night clubs. Anyone found hosting school children in their joints should be apprehended and charged in a court of law,” she stated.

Kamau expressed concerns that children who indulge themselves in drugs and alcohol become potential targets of criminals who defile or rape them and called for zero-rating of such habits for the safety of our children.

Ends…………/

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