August holiday is a chance for parents to reconnect with their children

• Astiba Kebong’o urges parents to use the August holiday to strengthen family relationships.
• She says learners need guidance on discipline, internet use, friendships and practical life skills.
• Astiba calls on families, teachers and religious leaders to prepare learners for school reopening.

The August school holiday is more than a break from the classroom; it is a defining moment for families, schools and the nation. Coming after a term in which some schools experienced unrest and disciplinary challenges, these three weeks offer an invaluable opportunity to rebuild relationships, strengthen values and prepare learners for a successful return to school.

As millions of learners travel home, one important question confronts us all: Are we ready to guide our children, spend meaningful time with them and help shape their future? The answers we provide during this holiday will influence not only individual children but also the future character of our society.

The Constitution of Kenya (2010), the Basic Education Act (2013) and the Children Act (2022) collectively affirm every child’s right to parental care, protection, education and an environment that supports their holistic development. While schools play a vital role in nurturing learners, parents remain the first and most influential teachers in a child’s life. Schools complement parenting; they cannot replace it.

The holiday calls upon parents and guardians to intentionally reconnect with their children. Beyond providing food, clothing and shelter, children long for attention, guidance, encouragement and unconditional love. They want parents who listen, understand their concerns, celebrate their achievements and patiently correct them when they go astray.

Many disciplinary cases handled in our schools reveal a common reality: children often feel unheard. Where communication is weak, misunderstandings grow. Where parents are present and approachable, children are more likely to develop confidence, resilience and responsible decision-making.

Delegating parenting entirely to relatives or grandparents is a growing concern. Although the extended family remains an important pillar in African society, the primary responsibility of raising children rests with parents and guardians. No one understands a child better than the parent who intentionally invests time in knowing their dreams, fears, strengths and struggles.

Family meetings during the holiday can become powerful platforms for discussing goals, values, academic progress, friendships and challenges. Sharing meals, praying together, studying Scripture and engaging in honest conversations strengthen family bonds and build trust.

The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 22:6:

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Similarly, Deuteronomy 6:6–7 urges parents to teach godly values consistently in everyday life. These timeless principles continue to offer practical wisdom for modern families.

Guiding responsible internet use

The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has made digital learning an integral part of education. During this holiday, many learners will complete School-Based Assessment (SBA) assignments requiring internet research under parental guidance.

The internet is one of the greatest educational resources available today. It opens doors to knowledge, innovation and creativity. Yet it also exposes children to cyberbullying, misinformation, pornography, online predators, gambling, hate speech and harmful social media influences.

Parents should therefore supervise internet use, establish healthy screen-time limits, encourage educational research, discuss online safety and teach children how to identify reliable sources of information. Technology should enhance learning—not replace parental guidance.

Beyond academics: Teaching life skills

Education is much broader than examination grades.

The holiday provides an excellent opportunity for learners to acquire practical life skills such as cooking, farming, budgeting, entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, first aid, craftsmanship, digital literacy, music, art and community service. These experiences cultivate responsibility, creativity, resilience and independence.

Education philosopher John Dewey argued that education is part of life itself rather than merely preparation for life.

Similarly, psychologist Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory reminds us that children learn by observing the behaviour of adults around them. Parents who demonstrate honesty, discipline, humility, respect and hard work become the most effective teachers.

Character, academic excellence and practical skills together produce responsible citizens capable of transforming society.

Positive peer influence

Peers continue to influence learners during the holiday. Parents should know their children’s friends and encourage healthy friendships that promote discipline, teamwork, academic discussions, sports and community service.

Equally important is helping children resist negative peer pressure that may lead to drug and substance abuse, criminal activities, violence, irresponsible sexual behaviour or planning acts of school unrest. Open communication enables children to seek guidance whenever they face difficult choices.

The holiday also requires greater vigilance from parents and communities.

Children today face emerging risks that include online exploitation, human trafficking, gambling, radicalization, substance abuse, unsafe relationships and exposure to inappropriate digital content.

Parents should know where their children are, who they spend time with and the activities they engage in each day. Community members should also remain vigilant and report situations that place children at risk. Protecting children is a collective responsibility.

Teachers remain partners

Although schools are closed, learning continues.

Teachers remain important partners by providing holiday assignments, guidance on School-Based Assessments, reading programmes and continuous communication with parents where necessary.

Recent disciplinary cases have reinforced one important lesson: teachers and parents must work closely together to understand every learner’s unique strengths, challenges and emotional needs. Strong partnerships between home and school produce better educational outcomes and improve school discipline.

Religious institutions remain powerful centres for moral formation.

Holiday mentorship programmes, youth conferences, Bible studies, counselling sessions and community outreach activities provide safe environments where children learn integrity, compassion, responsibility, respect, forgiveness and peaceful conflict resolution.

Strong moral values help learners become responsible citizens who positively contribute to society.

Leadership by example

Children carefully observe the conduct of adults.

Political leaders, community leaders, public servants and all influential members of society should recognise that their words and actions become lessons for young people. Public discourse characterised by respect, honesty, tolerance and civility teaches children the values necessary for peaceful coexistence.

Leadership is best demonstrated through integrity and service rather than confrontation and hostility.

Following recent incidents of school unrest, parents should intentionally discuss discipline, peaceful conflict resolution and responsible citizenship with their children.

Learners should understand that destroying school property, participating in violence, intimidating fellow students or engaging in unrest undermines education and destroys opportunities for everyone. Schools belong to learners, parents, teachers and the nation. Protecting them is a shared responsibility.

Parents should encourage learners to express grievances respectfully through lawful and established school channels instead of resorting to destructive behaviour.

Children also need time to rest, reflect and reconnect with their families.

A balanced holiday that includes recreation, worship, reading, household responsibilities, sports and meaningful family interaction promotes emotional stability and positive mental health.

Developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner is widely associated with the observation:

“Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her.”

When children feel genuinely loved, listened to and supported, they develop confidence, resilience and trust. Such children are more likely to communicate openly with parents and teachers, make wise choices and contribute positively to school life.

A call to action

This August holiday should not simply be viewed as time away from school. It is an opportunity to strengthen families, restore values, develop practical skills and prepare learners for a brighter future.

Let parents intentionally spend time with their children. Let teachers continue guiding learning beyond the classroom. Let religious leaders mentor the young. Let political and community leaders model integrity and responsible leadership. Let peers encourage one another to pursue excellence, reject violence and embrace discipline.

Education alone is not enough. Character gives education purpose, and skills give it practical value. When knowledge, values and practical competence work together, society produces citizens who are responsible, compassionate, innovative and productive.

As we conclude this holiday, may every learner return to school refreshed, morally grounded, emotionally healthy and academically motivated. Let us seize this season to build not only better students, but also better families, stronger communities and a more prosperous Kenya.

READ ALSO: How KCSE candidates can make the best of August school holiday

The future of our nation is being shaped today—in our homes, in our conversations and in the example we set before our children. Let us make this August holiday count.

By Astiba Kebong’o