Evolving
Social Landscape and Its Impact on Child Welfare
The
Changing Social Fabric:
Over the past few decades, the country has undergone
significant transformations in various spheres of society, including culture,
education, economy, technology, and social events. These advancements have
greatly influenced people's lifestyles, gradually eroding long-standing
practices such as social obligations, spiritual values, religious concepts, and
traditional social interactions. A growing emphasis on competition has taken
precedence over the nurturing of human values.
Parental
Efforts Amidst Challenges:
Despite these challenges, parents strive to provide their children with the best possible education. Educators emphasize that a lack of education severely hampers a child's future prospects. However, the modern world's fast pace often leaves children bereft of the cherished love, affection, and care of their parents. Consequently, children fail to internalize essential qualities of human nature such as love, joy, respect, patience, and compassion.
Reimagining
Education for a Changing World
National
Education for the Future:
National education should aim to
produce individuals who can adapt to the rapid and extensive technological
changes that lie ahead. In today's bustling world, everyone seems caught up in
a relentless pursuit of material gain and day-to-day affairs. Amidst this
chaos, children are deprived of the nurturing they need, impeding their
development of superior human qualities.
The
Role of Sunday Schools/Dahampasalas:
Present-day society is plagued by vices, resulting in young
people falling victim to ignorance and inadequate parental supervision. To
foster a more religious mindset, it is believed that Dahampasalas or Sunday
schools should be made compulsory until students reach the Advanced Level.
Nurturing
Values through Education
A
Value-Based Curriculum:
National policymakers should prioritize the introduction of a
value-based curriculum across all educational domains. Moral and philosophical
concepts can be incorporated into each lesson, emphasizing the importance of
beauty, goodness, and truth. Arts, music, dance, humanities, and other
aesthetic studies should highlight these values.
Parents
and Teachers:
A Vital Partnership: Parents and teachers must give utmost
attention to a child's training and education from the early stages to the
Advanced Level. Establishing a strong parent-teacher relationship during early
education is crucial. While most schools conduct parent-teacher meetings, the
focus is predominantly on academic performance. It is essential to broaden the
scope to encompass discipline, behavior, social relations, and moral
development.
Combatting
the Menace of Drug Abuse
Neglected
Parental Care:
One of the most significant misfortunes afflicting the future
generation of Sri Lankans is the alarming use of narcotics among
schoolchildren. The Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms
Minister, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, recently revealed that over 500,000 youths
are addicted to various drugs, including senior and secondary level students
from prestigious schools. Astonishingly, many of these students hail from
affluent families, with parents occupying high positions in government and the
private sector. Neglectful parental supervision and busy schedules contribute
to this growing menace.
Addressing
Drug Menace in Schools:
School authorities often hesitate to disclose incidents of
drug use among students to preserve the school's reputation. However, the
Minister of Education has implemented various measures to combat the drug
menace in schools. The use of highly dangerous substances such as heroin and
Ice poses a grave threat, clouding young minds and leading to severe health
issues.
Protecting
Children from Sexual Predators
Awareness
Programs for Parents:
The Ministry of Education has recently issued a circular
emphasizing the need for awareness programs targeting parents and guardians of
teenage female students. These programs aim to protect young girls from sexual
harassment by drug addicts and even trusted tutors. Shockingly, this year
alone, 436 girls have reported instances of sexual abuse, leading to the
apprehension of 68 predators by the Child Protection Authority and the Police.
Declining
Moral Values and Increased Abuse:
The frequency of sexual abuse among young students has surged
due to the erosion of moral values among adults and the younger generation.
Startling statistics reveal that reported cases of child abuse in the first
three months of this year reached 2,809, in contrast to 375 cases reported in
2018.
Monitoring
Internet Usage and Social Media Impact
Parental
Responsibility in the Digital Age:
As indispensable as the internet and social media are for
modern-day youngsters to gather knowledge, they also expose them to various
vices and misuses. Parents must closely monitor their children's internet
usage, as children possess considerable technological proficiency and can
access any website or even create their own. Neglecting this responsibility
increases the likelihood of children being lured into nefarious activities.
Consequences
of Unchecked Internet Use:
Media reports frequently highlight cybercrimes committed by
young students, with parents often facing the repercussions. Recent incidents,
such as reckless driving during a cricket match, tragic drownings, and dangerous
motorcycle races, illustrate the dire consequences of parental oversight.
Parents must strike a balance between providing for their children's needs and
responsibly monitoring their activities.
Conclusion
The present wave of
calamities and unfortunate incidents involving children calls for increased
parental vigilance and engagement. Parents must acknowledge their crucial role
in safeguarding their children's well-being and take proactive measures to
instill moral values, provide adequate supervision, and foster responsible
behavior. By embracing this responsibility, parents can help shape a safer and
brighter future for the younger generation.
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