Parents Urged to Prioritize Children’s Education for a Brighter Future.
By Dumisile Tshuma
Parents in Lupane have been urged to place greater emphasis on their children’s education as a means of securing better opportunities for the youth.
In an Interview with Matebeleland Pulse, Councilor Sinikiwe Tshuma of the Lupane Local Board (LLB) said families need to shift focus from blaming outsiders for taking jobs to ensuring that their children are equipped with the skills and qualifications needed to compete in today’s job market.
“Parents in Lupane should be wary of the future of our youths,” Tshuma said. “We need to stop complaining about other people taking our children’s jobs when we are not providing them with the skills they need to compete in the job market.”
She emphasized that education is central to building self-sufficiency and driving economic growth in the district. Tshuma also called on the central government to support local skills development initiatives.
“We need the central government to invest in our youth by providing VTCs for skills development,” she said. “This will enable them to engage in self-employment and contribute positively to our community.”
Tshuma added that education should go beyond academics to prepare young people for life’s challenges. “Education should be holistic,” she said. “It should prepare our children not just for exams, but for life.”
Local youth advocate Shepherd Nkomo, from the Zinapi area, echoed Tshuma’s call for investment in education, stressing the importance of Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) to help young people gain practical skills.
“We need some VTCs so we can learn different practical skills,” he said. “This will not only empower us but also help in reducing unemployment in our area.”
Nkomo noted that many youths struggle to find jobs due to limited access to skills training opportunities. He encouraged parents to embrace new approaches to education.
“Parents must embrace the changes in the education sector,” he said. “It’s essential for their children’s success in this competitive world.”
Community leaders say both parental involvement and government support are crucial in improving educational outcomes in Lupane. They believe investing in education and vocational training will help reduce unemployment and build a stronger future for the district.
