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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
POSITIVE parenting is a key driver in child development as it bridges the gap between home and school, Mutare Urban Schools Inspector, Mr Edson Mapungwana has said.
Speaking during a certification ceremony for 65 parents from four Catholic schools who were trained on good parenting under the Positive Parenting training pilot project, Mr Mapungwana said if parents are trained on good parenting, they will help bridge the gap between children’s safe spaces.
“There is need to bridge the gap between schools and home. A child has two safe spaces, which are the school and home. Those two spaces should be safeguarded and thus the need for such trainings. This also reduces confusion in the child,” he said.
He said negative parenting will limit the child’s development and growth while also disturbing their concentration at school.
The parents were trained for ten weeks at St Joseph’s Mutare, St Joseph’s Rusape, St Judes and St Columbas Primary Schools.
They were taken through good parenting modules, including introduction to parenthood, understanding different family structures, understanding and appreciating children, building positive relationships and involving children in everyday life, among many others.
Also addressing the parents, Roman Catholic Diocese of Mutare’s Education Secretary, Mr Lawrence Chibvuri said the training was a pilot project and will be rolled out nationwide across all Catholic dioceses next year.
“We realised that the parent is as important as the teacher. This is important for the child to grow into a well developed human being. We want the home to be as safe as the classroom. The child should be comfortable being home, just as they are comfortable at school,” he said.
“Modules like empowering children to stand up against abuse will help parents teach their children on how to react when they are in abusive situations and how to report. It also teaches them not to abuse other children or expose themselves to abuse.
“This will help children in their everyday lives because abuse is everywhere and the children need to be protected against it,” said Mr Chibvuri.
The parents applauded the church for training them saying they would act as ambassador parents for good parenting back in their communities.
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