By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor The Director of Kitengela Furaha Children's Academy, Dr. Denise A.O. Kodhe, has called on parents to dedicate more time to their children in order to instill discipline, moral values, and responsible behavior necessary for their growth and development.
Speaking during the Academy’s Education Day held in Kitengela, Dr. Kodhe emphasized that parents bear the primary responsibility of nurturing good character and values in their children and should not leave that responsibility entirely to teachers and learning institutions.
She noted that society as a whole has a collective duty to ensure children are raised with strong values, while schools play a complementary role in reinforcing those values as children progress through various stages of learning and development.
Dr. Kodhe expressed concern over the recent tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, where sixteen students lost their lives after a dormitory was allegedly set ablaze by fellow learners. She observed that the incident highlights the urgent need for parents, schools, government agencies, and other stakeholders to strengthen safety measures and improve the management of learning institutions.
“The Utumishi tragedy was not the first such incident in our learning institutions. We must learn from past experiences and take deliberate steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” she said.
Dr. Kodhe further urged parents to take a keen interest in understanding their children’s character, behavior, friendships, and daily activities before sending them to boarding schools and other institutions of learning.
She proposed that, in addition to academic qualifications, the Ministry of Education should consider introducing character and behavioral assessments as part of the criteria for school admissions.
“Parents should remember that learning institutions are not dumping grounds for indisciplined children,” Dr. Kodhe stated.
She lamented that many parents have become strangers to their own families due to their constant pursuit of careers and financial success, often at the expense of family relationships.
“As parents, let us avail ourselves more for our children so that we can know and understand them better, and for our children to do likewise. Family remains a very significant institution that requires attention, dedication, and sacrifice for the sake of our children,” she added.
During the Education Day event, children participated in activities that revealed they often know and understand their parents better than parents understand them. According to Dr. Kodhe, many parents are unaware of their children’s favorite meals, closest friends, interests, and how they spend their free time.
Kitengela Furaha Children’s Academy is a community-based institution that provides educational opportunities to less fortunate and disadvantaged children within the Kitengela community.
The event was attended by distinguished guests including Dr. Dinah Ewuradjoa Ogara, a lecturer at the Technical University of Kenya, Mr. Sixtus Odumbe, Director of the Community Capacity Building Initiative (CCBI), and Mrs. Daisy Ondimu Kisimbo.
