“Holiday is over, holiday is over, now the school bell rings, teachers whip awaits, welcome teachers, welcome scholars, we are back to school from a jolly holiday, a jolly holiday ‘’, is believed to be the song on the lips of students of primary and secondary schools now, as they resume academic activities after about two months of break from school.
Sure the children had a restful and exciting moment while on holiday with visits to friends, families, recreation centers, shopping malls and other remarkable sites.
For the children, the fun is over, but to parents, the fund for resumption is the ‘koko’ (crux) of the matter: the school bags, shoes, uniforms, textbooks, notebooks, stationeries, provisions and the almighty tuition fees.
As important as these might be, the safety of these children is also crucial and must not be handled with kids gloves, going by the unimaginable unpleasant happenings in the present society which calls for caution and vigilance.
Thus, it is advisable that parents regardless of their daily busy schedule see to it that their children arrive safely in school.
Toddlers should not be allowed to go to school alone as is the practice of some parents. Imagine a five/six year old leading a three year old to school.
The practice of leaving your children to be transported alone by an okada man (commercial motorcyclist) should also be discouraged. Some parents are fond of doing this.
If you are the one driving them to school, ensure your children get into the school before you zoom off. Wisdom also requires that children should not walk alone, respond to strangers or accept free rides on their way to or from school while they should avoid bushy and lonely paths.
Authorities of private schools which convey students with their school buses should put in place measures to ensure that only their drivers pick students from designated points and not strangers.
Parents should make tidy arrangement with school authority if they will not be available to pick their children personally from school while the school authority must only release the child to the one sent by the parents with credible evidence from such.
The rains are still here, so teach them to avoid walking in channels, slippery paths and take cover in school when it is raining.
It is equally expedient that parents provide their kids with sufficient food and snacks while cautioning them against being lured by edibles, as common among people of ulterior motives.
Absolute protection is of the Lord, and as the Holy Bible says, “Train your child in the way of the Lord and when he grows up, he will not depart from it.” Therefore, inculcate in your children and wards the culture of praying at all times while trusting God for their safety within and outside the home.
Olaitan Oye-Adeitan
pub-5160901092443552
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