Back to School: Prioritizing Child Safety in a Changing World

By Ilyana Sithole

As the new school term has now commenced, attention naturally shifts to ensuring that our children are kept safe. While excitement is building with each new academic year, anxieties prevail in view of recent bullying and exploitation, or even satanic cults that crop up amidst any number of conceivable dangers.

Mrs. Garwe, mother of a boarding school girl at Mrewa: “The distance from home always is a nagging worry. Although the academics there are brilliant, I live in fear over the well-being of my girl. Bullying is prevalent. The coming up of these cults—what you might say—has brought a really very disquieting phenomenon. How shall I be so sure she isn’t contaminated from such? I get scared when the thought comes—I have no hold over her and neither does any family member over those satanic things.”

Mr. Matsika, whose daughter attends a local college in Chitungwiza, shared the same sentiments but with a different set of concerns: “Road safety is a big issue. The careless driving on our roads poses a great danger to children going to and from school. Besides, being close to the highway exposes her to the dangers of being exploited, kidnapped, or even being under pressure to engage in substance abuse.”

Challenges
* Bullying: Cyberbullying, physical, and emotional abuse are still nightmares that continue haunting school life for some students. It leaves eternal psychological scars.
* Satanism (“Manjuzu”) Cults: This cult-like phenomenon has dire consequences; the vulnerability of children lured by riches and power is exposed.
* Road Safety: Children traveling to and from schools face risks where there are impatient drivers and inadequate pedestrians’ facilities along roads.
* Exploitation: Children become exposed to a form of child labour and may face sexual exploitation; besides online predatory issues.
* Kidnapping: A constant terror among parents—kidnappers always seem to get kids not merely for ransom but often for ill intents.
* Early Childhood Pregnancies: As children, adolescents’ early years engage in sexuality—unprotected or unwanted are at great cost in education as well as health of child.

Protecting Our Children
– Open Communication: If children must feel comfortable sharing experiences, concerns, or any signs of distress with you, then open and honest communication will be the best way to foster it.
– Digital Safety: Today’s children are clever, rather too clever that they expose themselves to social media dangers, therefore, educating the kids on safe surfing, the possibility of cyberbullying, and being responsible on social media comes in handy.
– School Involvement: With the hustle bustle of this world parents tend to forget of their obligation to be involved with the school community – by attending parent-teacher meetings regularly, consultation days and participating in other school activities to build a relationship with teachers and the administration – this way we achieve a common goal of excellence.
– Community Awareness: Raise awareness of the dangers facing children in the community. Work with the local authorities and organizations to initiate safety measures against the emerging threats.
– Empowerment: Let us arm our children with knowledge and the wherewithal to defend themselves in this cruel world. Teach them self-defense and how to look out for one another in dangerous situations where assertiveness matters.

A Collective Responsibility
Child protection requires a holistic approach – parents, educators, community leaders, and law enforcement agencies – all putting their best foot forward in ensuring that we provide an environment where all children feel safe and nurtured. We can only do this with open communication, awareness, and empowerment—thus working together to brighten the future of the next generation.

Yesterday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police issued a timely statement, which acted as a reminder of the multi-faceted challenges faced by children, more so when making their daily journeys to and from school and even at school premises.

The statement from Commissioner Nyathi underscored the issue of road safety, something that concerns all parents whose children are day scholars, whether by tracking or making use of the school transport system. Careless driving and defective vehicles are two major contributors to the mortal threat posed to young lives. Transport providers should prioritize safety above all else, adhering to every traffic rule and ensuring that their vehicles are roadworthy. There is also a role for parents and schools in discouraging travel at night, which puts children at greater risk.

There is equally important advice by Commissioner Nyathi on school fees. The deposit of fees in banks minimizes the risk of theft and robbery and deters criminals who target schools with huge cash holding. School authorities are to take extreme care in all financial transactions and must be on guard against insider criminal threats.

However, child safety extends beyond the physical realm. The cyberbullying threats, online predators, and all the other associated dangers of the digital world are ever-present. Schools should arm children with the literacy skills necessary for negotiating the online world safely. Proactive dealing with such emerging challenges requires open communication among parents, teachers, and the children themselves.

Moreover, the mental health of children cannot be ignored. Pressures to perform well, social anxieties, and probably even exposure to violence could have very large effects on their psyche. Moreso, schools should be able to provide a safe, supportive, and conducive environment where children feel comfortable enough to learn, grow, and succeed.

Finally, child safety is everyone’s responsibility: parents, schools, transport providers, and society in general all have to work together to make our children’s life safe and protective. By following the guidelines set out by the ZRP and putting in place comprehensive safety measures, we can ensure that the future of our nation, which is the most valuable resource, is well secured.