As schools close for the long holiday this week, the Catholic Church in Mombasa has urged parents to keep a close eye on their children lest they engage in indecent behavior such as online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Church said parents should reflect on what happened during Covid-19 when many children, mostly girls, got pregnant and boys joined drug gangs which stopped them from going back to school, something that was blamed on parental negligence.

Fr Vincent Alicho (pictured), in charge of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church that runs St Anthony Claret Nursery and Primary School in Shanzu, said discipline is the cornerstone of a successful life.

“We know it is a very long holiday. Children will be home for a very long time, already we have taught them what to do at home. Their lives here in school continue at home. The discipline, and moral values we inculcate continue at home,” said Fr Alicho.

The Catholic-run institution leverages technology to interact and monitor the progress of their learners on holiday through their parents. Fr Alicho, a Nigerian missionary, hailed the country’s Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) for revolutionising education by nurturing learners’ talents at a young age.

Through CBC the school now has an array of talents, the learners can operate band instruments like trombone, cymbals, trumpet, tuba, and snare and bus drums.

“We are embracing CBC, we don’t just present academic work to the children. We blend with other things like playing a band,” he said.

Fr Alicho further notes that the country needs children who have been moulded in all spheres of life.

School head, Sr Susan Warui, underscored the importance of spiritual nourishment in children’s development. She advises parents to monitor their children’s online activities during the holiday.

“Keep close monitoring every day, especially with social media. It has really interfered with the growth of these children. Make sure you are monitoring and also sure of what they are watching on social media,” Sr Warui noted.

On his part, Priest Kizito Mapera said the school work closely with the surrounding community in environmental conservation programmes.