The National Defence University (NDU-K) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Anne Muigai has urged parents and guardians to continue mentoring, monitoring and protecting and their children in order to shape their character and behaviour, now and in future.

She said that parents are tasked with the role of guiding their children when they are still young by, among other things, safeguarding how they spend their free time in an effort to ensure they engage in productive activities.

The DVC noted that parents can determine their children’s future character by managing what they do with their time and minding the company they keep.

While acknowledging the role digital gadgets play in imparting knowledge to children, Prof. Muigai, however, raised concerns over the explicit content on social media that the students exposed to.
“Giving a child a mobile phone without monitoring closely to find out what the child is doing with the gadget is like giving a child a loaded gun,” she said, adding that it is a recipe for destroying the future of children. She further called on parents to be good stewards of their children and usher them into a bright future by building their skills.

Prof Muigai said this at Koelel Forces Academy (KFA), Gilgil, during their Form One Orientation Day, where she was one of the key speakers. The Orientation Day incorporates both parents/guardians and students in preparing form one students for a new secondary school environment.

On his part, School Principal, Mr. Philemon Obenge, lauded the parents and teachers for their combined efforts which has fuelled the exemplary performance in the school. He thanked the KDF fraternity for their unwavering support, through the years. He further expressed optimism that those who lacked fees would be assisted through mechanisms that the school and Board of Management had set up to face these challenges.

“We have made a resolve in this school not to turn back any student who reports with a fees challenge. We have allowed them even in without fees and personal effects, we admitted them as we try to get sponsors for them,” he said.

At the event, Ms Ann Njoki, the parents' representative, encouraged parents and guardians to embrace and nurture their children’s talents, emphasizing the profound impact they have in shaping their careers.