As schools close for the long holiday, Khabukoshe Mixed Senior School Principal Mr. Soita Murati has called on parents to take a leading role in keeping their children safe, disciplined and focused on their education.

Murati said the holiday should not be a time for learners to abandon their books but an opportunity to balance academic work with household responsibilities as they prepare for the 2027 school year.

Speaking during the school’s closing ceremony, he urged parents to ensure their children complete assignments given by teachers while also helping with domestic chores.

“Help them to be responsible so that when they come back next year, they are in good shape. We do not want them to get involved in issues related to teenage pregnancies,” he said.

The principal reminded parents that keeping children safe during the festive season requires close supervision, open communication and proper guidance at home.

He expressed concern over activities that could expose learners to risky situations, particularly girls attending disco matanga (funeral discos) and accessing pornographic materials online.

Murati warned that some individuals could take advantage of the holiday period to exploit vulnerable girls, urging parents to remain alert and know the company their children keep.

“During this long holiday, we do not want our girls to fall prey to people with ill motives who may want to destroy their future,” he cautioned.

He said guidance and counselling had contributed to a significant reduction in teenage pregnancies, but noted that the community still had work to do to protect girls and keep them in school.

Murati urged learners to use the holiday wisely, make responsible decisions and avoid situations that could jeopardise their education and future ambitions.

He also called on local administrators to strengthen security and work closely with parents and community leaders to address the recurring challenge of teenage pregnancies.

The principal said protecting learners should be a shared responsibility, adding that the combined efforts of parents, schools and the community would help ensure that children return to school safely and ready to continue their studies in 2027.