By Elizabeth Nyaguyo
Parents have commended Government for re-opening schools as some children were now engaged in wayward behavior as they were idle at home.
Last week acting President Constantine Chiwenga announced that schools would open on February 7.
Some parents were worried about the long school holidays that were as a result of COVID-19 lockdown regulations as some reports of children as young as 10 years abusing alcohol and drugs as well as engaging in commercial sex work were on the rise.
Speaking to SlyMediaNews, parents said with children in school they would not have time for engaging in illicit behaviors.
“I am glad and my heart is filled with joy about Government’s move because ever since my child returned from school I have been admitted from one hospital to another due to severe headaches that he was causing me due to his new behavior he adopted he have been drinking, smoking and even bringing girls in my house,” said Brenda Marema.
Another parent Lisa Mamvura said,” My child became my biggest problem apart from all life challenges I face she became weird to an extent that I could not even control her.
“She now comes home late from hanging out with her friends and I am glad that she will be living for school soon.” Chenai Muzembe said that she was excited children were going back to school again because most of their behaviors had become a cause of concern.
“When I heard the acting President announcing the re-opening of schools, I was so happy because these children need to be busy rather than staying at home doing nothing,” she said.
Cases of children engaging in commercial sex work as well as abusing drugs have been on the rise as children spent longer periods of time outside school as a result of the lockdown regulations.
Though Government introduced online learning to try and keep children busy during the holidays, some have not been taking the lessons seriously.
Others in areas were network challenges persist have found it difficult to follow the online lessons resulting in them having a lot of free time on their hands.
