adminB E A Make a Difference
It is a busy time all across town. Vehicular and human traffic have never been as heavy. In fact the scenes across town are even busier and more hectic than during the festive season.
If we were to put the festivities on a scale against the “back to school” period, it certainly seems as if the back to school period has beaten the Christmas holidays in terms of traffic.
There is a lot of activity around Harare as parents move back and forth trying to get uniforms and everything else that children need to be able to get the First Term started.
The beginning of the year is unique in that this is when Grade Ones start school. Now everyone who has been a parent understands the importance of all the first steps a child takes. The first cry is important. The first smile is important. The first walking step is important. So is the first tooth and the first word. Do we not all remember those moments when the whole family is told that the young tot has spoken her or his first word, even if it is not audible and does not make sense?
Goodness; the first birthday is important too. Have you not seen parents spending thousands hiring jumping castles, water slides, clowns and mascots when the truth of it is that a one-year old child cannot even be bothered by all that stuff? But for the parents; it is a big deal. It is a first. Thus, it should be and is always celebrated.
Grade One, therefore, is special time. Even those fathers who are never seen around children suddenly surface and will make the time to be seen on the first day of school. Not only that but they also ensure alongside the mothers; that the children are equipped with all that they require.
All those long Grade One lists are taken care of. Yet, later on when a child is in Grade Three or Four, parents begin to relax, at times telling the child to go with what they would have been using the previous year. But not for Grade One or Form One.
Hence it is activity galore as fathers and mothers rush across Harare’s streets ahead of schools opening this coming Tuesday. Some are accompanied on these shopping trips by the excited little ones who do not know that once it starts; it hardly ever really ends.
They cannot wait to be in big school, hence they will try it all, from shoes to blazers, sports wear and even carrying the school bag. The parents are there, excitedly lapping it up.
The same goes for the Form Ones. Again because this is a first step towards secondary school; there is a lot of excitement to mark this entry into yet another chapter of life. It certainly is gratifying though that the parents are showing this much excitement for their children’s education compared to those we would see spending wildly during the festive season only to start borrowing for school fees and uniforms. When parents run around for their children; it is as it should be.
When the parents prioritise their children’s school needs it is as it should be. Heads of schools and nursery schools will tell you tales of some parents who are known to always carry the latest phones and drive the latest cars and yet become regulars at the children’s schools where they are known for coming to discuss payment plans.
This lot is better than those who do not even bother to come and discuss payment plans, but wait for their children to come and tell them that they have been harassed for fees.
Schools have no business harassing children over fees, since their contracts are always with the parents. The truth is that because the children are the ones who go to school; authorities bother them over outstanding fees.
How do you feel when your little innocent soul begins to tell you of being treated differently because of the poor choices we make as adults?
Truth be told; times are tough. Times are really hard and even the most organised of people are feeling the pinch. Schools do not operate in a vacuum and those running them should understand that things are hard too.
When a parent pays something towards fees, this should be respected.
A parent who pays something is better than others who only wake-up on opening day and drop off or send children to school when they have not paid a cent?
Who do you expect to pay for your child’s education? Parents who pay in parts are much better than those who just lie low hoping the storm will be over.
While children are fussy in that they demand a good Christmas, expect a good birthday as well as their fees paid on time, it is the adult’s responsibility to balance things out and make sure that all the important elements are taken care of.
Overspending and prioritising partying over important issues results in more visits to loan sharks after Christmas. A friend of mine bought a new shiny mobile phone worth over US$1 000 yet she was asking for a loan.
As I grow older, I have become more honest with myself, and those around me. I laughed in her face and told her that she did not need to wonder about the meaning of the word foolishness for she was a living example of it.
How does one want the best cell phone, designer handbags, shoes and weaves when they cannot afford that type of lifestyle? From asking for loans, what next, I asked her? Of course she got angry and flounced off but I stand by my truth.
If you are going to live large, do not come round to my house asking for a handout. Some of us are denying ourselves many things we want, especially this January because it is just not balancing.
That is parenthood and I am glad many Zimbabweans are living it; judging by the level of activity around.
Let us keep up the hustle Zimbabwe. The children’s future may very well be the difference we are all waiting for.
Here is to a Happy First Term!
Online Reporter