Parents Urged To Protect Children, Reinforce CBC Learning During December Holiday

By Elijah Cherutich

With learners expected to spend about 80 days away from school during the December holiday, educationists are urging parents to step up supervision, protect children from safety risks and keep them engaged in productive activities.

The educationists in Nakuru County have warned that the extended break could expose children to dangers, including drowning incidents, particularly amid warnings of El Niño rains. They have also challenged parents to use the holiday to reinforce practical skills acquired in classrooms under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Speaking during the closing ceremony at Kova Pioneer Academy in Mauche, Njoro Sub-County, university dons Prof. Malawi Rotich and Dr. Benjamin Rotich said parents needed to take a more active role in safeguarding their children while ensuring they remained engaged in meaningful activities throughout the holiday.

Prof. Malawi Rotich said children could be exposed to safety risks when left unsupervised, citing past incidents in which children went out to play and drowned.

“We want to urge the parents to ensure that they closely keep tabs on their children, it’s a long holiday that they might face challenges to keep the children safe”, he said.

Beyond safety, the educationists urged parents to turn everyday activities at home into learning opportunities by allowing children to practice skills acquired in school.

They said involving learners in household chores and other practical tasks would help them apply classroom knowledge, strengthen their understanding and gain a clearer appreciation of the expectations of the CBC, which emphasizes the application of knowledge and skills.

Dr. Kosgei also cautioned parents against allowing children unrestricted access to social media, warning that exposure to inappropriate online content could negatively influence their behavior and morals.

“Let us not expose our learners to social media because they will be exposed to bad character and destroy their morals, let’s give them the manual work that will equip them for the future”, he said.

The educationists further called on the government to provide adequate support for the pioneer classes under the CBC, saying their experience would help set the pace for subsequent cohorts as the country continues to transition to the new education system.

They emphasized the importance of collaboration between parents, schools and the government in ensuring that learners remain safe and continue developing essential skills even when schools are closed.