22 May 2025

To arrest juvenile delinquency, parents have been implored to play their role by fostering discipline and instilling positive moral values in their children.

Maun West MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama said this when responding to comments by some residents during a kgotla meeting complaining about indiscipline among children due to alcohol, drugs and substance abuse saying the issue was a growing concern that needed attention.

While he appreciated that alcohol and drug abuse among children were prevalent, he informed the gathering that the foundation of a child’s discipline started at the family level within the home environment and as such called on parents to step up and cultivate positive behaviour through positive reinforcement.

“The foundation for discipline and good habits is laid within the family setup and as such, as parents you should be seen playing a key role in moulding your children before they go out into the society. You should actively help them learn good morals and values so that they become individuals who can make responsible decisions,” he added.

Mr Hikuama further noted that it was unfortunate as some parents failed to guide their children and instead blame teachers for not instilling discipline while some fear the possibility that using discipline might drive away their children.

He said some parents entertained bad behaviour as they would watch their children going out at night, joining gangsters and not questioning them even if they bring home stolen items.  As parents, he said they should appreciate that during their school days, their parents were hardly called at school because they were well-disciplined in the best way possible and asked what made them think their children do not deserve that discipline.

“At times some parents tell teachers that their children are untouchable at home due to the influence of drugs and substance abuse and expect teachers to perform miracles to change their children.  “This is not right and you should take the responsibility as parents to set up boundaries and close the space between home and school or else we are going to breed delinquents hence the need for a collaborative effort by all stakeholders to curb the problem. Teachers cannot nurture and mould children into responsible citizens while parents still take the backseat,” he said. 

Parents had complained that school-going children from primary indulged in drug abuse, and some who persistently abuse substances often experienced an array of problems including academic difficulties. Bombadi Village Development Committee chairperson, Ms Gaobuse Katisenge said the situation was worrisome, as some children lost interest in school due to addiction.

She said substance abuse impacted negatively on the children’s academic performance citing that some miss classes leading to poor grades.  “If we do not act as a community, our children will drop out of school or even expelled from school because of ill behaviour,” emphasised Ms Katisenge.

He said parents must address juvenile delinquency in schools by starting from home by taking disciplinary action against their children. She said some parents destroyed children’s future by selling drugs to minors.Ms Katisenge decried lack of developments in their ward noting that every year they submit development projects that never materialised.  She complained about the bad state of internal roads and darkness in the streets and called for installation of tower lights. ENDS