FAMILIES in particular parents have a dream to have children as part of their lives. Many have to sacrifice a lot to bear children. It is not an easy to raise children. It takes a lot of years to see them grow as infants and toddlers to young adults. There are also stages of changes from birth to 18 months. These are, social, cognitive and emotional, languages and physical movements. From 18 months to 2 years, children require lots of sleep, good nutrition, and close, loving relationships with parents and caregivers. Ages 3-5 years old, during these pre-school years, children grow more and more independent. Their natural curiosity is likely to be stimulated because their world is expanding: new friends, new experiences, new environments like daycare or kindergarten.
Children gain independence and competence quickly during their school years. Friends become more important and influential. A child’s self-confidence will be affected by the academic and social challenges presented in the school environment. As children mature, the parenting challenge is to find a balance between keeping them safe, enforcing rules, maintaining family connections, allowing them to make some decisions, and encouraging them to accept increasing responsibilities. Despite their rapid growth and development, they still need parents and caregivers to set limits and encourage healthy habits.
As they grow to a more advanced age say 10 years old and over, they have better ideas about parents, families, religion and society. They will also make friends and spend time with them in school. They develop interest in many areas such as sports or helping their parents who may require some assistance. So it can be seen that numerous areas of critical care and upbringing are required before they complete primary, secondary and tertiary education.
Cost of education
The previous government had invested heavily in children’s education for all citizens from pre-school to tertiary level with not much-added costs to the parents. It included free education inclusive of bus fares, textbooks and stationery, and subsidised boarding fees at selected schools. Some extra costs were borne by parents which included lunches, uniforms, extra stationery etc.
The current Coalition Government continued with education support with some changes to relieve parents and guardians of additional costs. It has been estimated that primary school education has the highest cost of the total education expenditures. The least burden is on higher education say 6 per cent, according to a report by UNESCO. Overall, a student in tertiary education receives the most funding from the government. The education sector was allocated a massive $845 million from the 2023-2024 National Budget, the highest allocation given after many years. This is a massive increase compared to $489.9 million in the last fiscal year. This allows the national government to support parents and communities at large to foster education as one of the prime concerns in building a better Fiji for all.
Children’s behaviour and crimes
It is discouraging to learn of the many serious crimes children commit such as felonies, and other lesser crimes. According to anti-drug campaigner Kalesi Volatabu, the use of illicit drugs among children as young as 10 years old has become a serious concern for the country (FT July 14, 2024). Drugs that they take include marijuana, crystal meth, heroin, inhalants and glue sniffing, according to Ms Volatabu. Her concern is children being exposed to drugs and suggested ways to mitigate this. The Fiji Police Force and the Education Ministry have indicated about 3500 students have been involved in drugs. Teacher organisations, and the Ministry of Education insist on random checks of children’s bags and approval has been granted.
The ministry has policies to take all appropriate legislative, financial, administrative, social and educational measures to protect children from all types of bodily or emotional abuse including sexual abuse and/or sexual exploitation, while in the care of teachers, administrative and auxiliary staff, parents, legal guardians or any other person who have children in their care.
Sadly, the media also reported some parents encourage their children to sell drugs in schools and at other locations. On the other hand, according to UNICEF, corporal punishment is widespread, with 72 per cent of parents admitting using physical punishment against children in their household. Children are also exposed to commercial sexual exploitation, often becoming involved as a result of economic pressure. While the legal and policy framework allows for the diversion of children in conflict with the law, such cases are frequently handled informally within the community, raising concerns over the safeguarding of children’s rights. Cases involving children who are victims are also frequently handled through informal justice mechanisms, which can encourage victims to accept apologies or compensation, but not protect the rights of the victim.
Hooliganism
The violent behaviour of some students in sports and outside school hours have blemished the reputation of schools. Many incidents have gone viral on social media. It becomes tough for police to apprehend them due to many reasons. Among others is the age of children and the nature of the crime they commit. If taken to court, they could end up in the Fiji Juvenile Rehabilitation and Development Centre (FT, 19/9/14). There is a stark sympathetic consideration provided by many stakeholders to support, guide and provide every possible way and means for the children to become law-abiding citizens. However, in some quarters, parents do not see many other areas of concern in their guidance and parental responsibilities leaving the future of their children in limbo.
Conclusion
The government has been supporting education with the biggest chunk of the national budget. However, the lives of children starts with their parents. Educated children should always be supportive of their parents well-being. So it is usually the concept of reciprocity, as children take due responsibilities.
Some parents also bequeath property to them, while some children provide lifetime protection by keeping them together. The government ensures unskilled workers are also required for certain jobs, and by upskilling the worker’s trades can be upgraded. On the other hand, the government ensures the young population secures their future by seeking good employment opportunities and contributing to skilled manpower needs in various sectors.
Last week the eighth year exam results had a 69 per cent pass rate. Some students scored very high marks and made their parents and teachers proud. The esteem of class teachers have also been given recognition. On the other hand, about 31 per cent of students have not been successful. Parents need to supervise them with the support of teachers. If any assessment is made to analyse the government funding, and the success and failure rates of students, the results will surprisingly point to huge losses in investments by parents and the government. There are many questions which may not be the appropriate solution to overall areas of concern as discussed, but my view is that parents have to take a lot of initiative. They have the authority to tread on any or every step from childhood days to adulthood. More advocacy should come from priests, religious leaders, village elders and chiefs.
