Zimpapers Logo

President Mugabe greets children as he arrives for the Independence children’s party at City Sports Centre in Harare yesterday

Fidelis Munyoro Harare Bureau—
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday dissuaded youths from drug abuse saying self-discipline, focus and seriousness with studies were the only way to prosperity. Addressing thousands of children from the country’s 10 provinces gathered at the City Sports Centre in Harare for the Independence children’s party, President Mugabe said it was the desire for all parents to see their children succeed in school and life.

“Sadly, some of the youths today haven’t lived up to our expectation,” said President Mugabe. “They’ve instead become victims of hedonism; the perception that pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of human life. Day in and day out, we read stories about young people dying after taking mind-bending and behaviour-modifying substances.

“We hear stories of children being involved in the so-called wild parties where drugs are peddled and consumed with ease and abundance.” President Mugabe urged the education ministry to tighten “this area in collaboration with other agencies”.

Using abusable substances at a tender age can disrupt brain function in areas critical to motivation, memory, learning, judgment, and behaviour control. Teens who use alcohol and other drugs often have family and social problems, poor academic performance, health-related problems (including mental health), and involvement with the juvenile justice system.

President Mugabe also bemoaned promiscuity among youths, saying it had reached alarming proportions. “As young people, you need to take stock of your conduct. Make your future a conscious project of self-actualisation through what you’re currently doing. Never forget that you might end up being the company you keep. So keep good company therefore,” he said.

The President saluted parents for working tirelessly towards the education of their children under difficult conditions. “This is as it should be because, by its very nature, education is multi-stakeholder activity. The current reforms in the education sector provide huge opportunities for strengthening parental involvement in the accountabilities in the school system,” he said.

Cde Mugabe said while the government and parents were playing their part in the provision of education, the learners themselves also had a critical role to play.

He acknowledged that this season had been exceedingly a difficult one as heavens had not been kind, affecting the agricultural output. Cde Mugabe said this would impact negatively on school enrolments and the capacity of schools to retain learners already enrolled.

The President affirmed the government’s readiness to start the school feeding scheme next term to mitigate the effects of drought on learners. “I wish to take this opportunity to urge schools to boost their parent’s engagement to ensure that parents meaningfully participate in the School Feeding Programme,” he said.

President Mugabe thanked all the pupils and teachers for the efforts they made to ensure the success of the event. Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora were among senior government officials who attended the party.

The children’s party is held on the eve of the country’s Independence celebrations annually.