Parents and teachers should guide aimless kids

Parents and teachers should guide aimless kids

JAKARTA (JP): Youth is an expression of joy -- how come it is
degenerating into an expression of violence? I'm referring to the
student brawls that are now frequent in Jakarta.

This is a law-and-order problem. However, it may be worthwhile
to study the background and mental make-up of the students who
perpetrate these violent acts. If we consider this matter deeply,
it is clearly a sociological problem. As a wise man said, society
prepares the criminal and the criminal commits the crime. In this
case, it is parents and teachers who should share the blame for
students' behavior.

First of all, are parents creating a happy home for children?
Parents may feel their responsibility ends with providing for the
basic needs for their children. But let's remember children look
to us for emotional support and encouragement.

We should spend some time with our children at the end of each
working day. If we don't, how can we understand their ambitions,
aspirations and moods? If children feel neglected, they may
become wild.

Parents should show enthusiasm for the things the kids have
accomplished at school. The children should get a feeling that
their parents are partners with whom they may converse freely.
In short, parents must build a good rapport with their children.

Let's take up children's education now. Moral behavior is a
product of humane education.

Children spend the best part of their day in school. Every
teacher should realize that he or she is preparing the future
citizens of the country.

Good teachers make good pupils. Teachers should have high
ideals. See how Bahasa Indonesia put teachers on a pedestal.
By the way, "Guru" in English means: spiritual teacher.

Selection of teachers is also a critical factor. Teachers must
be paid enough. The government has a decisive role to play. If
teachers can't make ends meet, what motivation do they have to
develop good students? Children are the wealth of a nation. This
wealth can be created only by investing in dedicated teachers.

Moral education should be a compulsory subject in schools
across the country. Courtesy, love, kindness, friendliness and
sharing, fairness, compassion for the poor, respect for elders,
tolerance of others' views and such other topics should be taught
in class.

Our youth is aimless. They need a guiding compass so that they
can determine their course wisely.

Are not parents and teachers best suited for this task? We
shall fervently hope that they rise to the occasion -- the future
well-being of society hinges on understanding of their respective
roles.

-- D. Chandramouli