Protect your children during short holidays, parents urged

Parents have been urged to take care of their children during the holiday season.

Rwegetha Primary School head teacher Michael Karanja said tutors do their best to discipline students while in school. 

Karanja said parents should be close to their children and talk to them to understand the hurdles they face and guide them.

“This is a short holiday. We are asking parents to control their children’s lives, ensure they know when they go in and out. We want these children back in January,” he said.

The head teacher said it is easy for parents to discover when their children are engaging in questionable activities if they take time to talk to them.

As children of all walks of life congregate for the Christmas festivities, Karanja said there is a risk of disciplined kids having their morals corrupted and asked parents to be on the lookout.

He spoke on Monday when he received donations from the Institution of Engineers of Kenya at the school in Gatanga, Murang’a.

Hannah Njeri said the activity is part of its corporate social responsibility that the organisation undertakes each year.

“We identify an institution with needs and support them,” Njeri, who led the team of engineers, said.

IEK donated porridge flour, maize flour, rice and beans that will be used once schools re-open.

The children enjoyed biscuits, fruit juice and sweets during the school closing ceremony.

It awarded the best performing students with backpacks, rulers, pencils, geometrical sets and umbrellas to motivate them.

Njeri said they chose the school with the guidance of MP Nduati Ngugi.

She said they took advantage of the occasion to spend time with them and spread the Christmas cheer.

Nduati said the school was the most improved in the county with 47 points in last year’s KCPE.

“We wanted to take the time to share with the children and their parents and motivate them,” Nduati said.

Nduati urged residents to share with their neighbours to ensure nobody is hungry during the Christmas season.

The MP later attended a tournament organised by NG-CDF.

The best football and volleyball teams from the six wards competed.

Msalamz team from Ithanga scored two goals against one by Kigio Football Team and won Sh50,000 together with uniforms and balls, while the latter got Sh30,000 together with balls and uniforms.

James Rogers, the captain of the team, said sports exhaust them and they have no time or energy to idle in towns after practice.

All the teams that participated in the tournament received uniforms and balls.

Kihumbu-ini women team won against Dragons. They got a cash prize of Sh30,000, while the latter got Sh20,000 together with sports equipment.

Nduati said the tournaments are aimed at fighting drugs and alcoholism amongst youths by keeping them busy.

Former MP Peter Kenneth, who attended the tournament, said he is passionate about sports and pledged to award winning teams.

Kenneth was the Football of Kenya Federation chairperson between 1996-2000.

“I know how effective sports can be and that is why I came to watch them play,” Kenneth said.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris