Times Of Swaziland: SUPPORT PUPILS AS SCHOOLS REOPEN!

SUPPORT PUPILS AS SCHOOLS REOPEN!
================================================================================
The Editor on 06/07/2020 00:29:00


Sir,
Being a parent and a pupil in such times is one of the thorny realities that,
whether we like it or not, have to be endured by both parties in this COVID-19
era.
Never trouble trouble unless trouble troubles you! On the contrary, we have
already troubled trouble and the possibility is that we might get troubled.
Hence, let us put on an amour so that when trouble comes it finds us more than
ready; we cannot bear being troubled more than we have been.
The restart of lessons means everybody must be prepared for two things; either
the best or the worst. The worst, to begin with, is the fever learners are
carrying as they return back to school.
Safe
We literally do not know how safe they are from COVID-19, with or without PPEs.
This is a fever they have to deal with for the rest of the year unless a vaccine
for the virus is discovered. On top of that, schools are already stressed
because exams are just around the corner.
Parents, guardians and support staff should take this as a challenge that is
troubling all of us. However, we do not have strength on our own to control what
will happen to them as they resume their studies or all the time on earth to
follow them wherever they are going. But surely we have to rally behind them
even if it costs our last breath; they are ours. If we cannot take care of them,
nobody will.
Provide
Let’s make it a point that every day we provide them with the essential
commodities that will render them safe from contracting the virus. Nelson
Mandela once said; “Everything seems impossible until it is done.” Maybe we
were used to letting them do things on their own but that’s a thing of the
past.
Even if it seems impossible, we have to be immensely involved in their lives.
Danger and delight grow in the same stalk. We need to take extra precautions!
This is no time to crack jokes because COVID-19 has come like a thief; to steal,
kill and destroy. If preventative measures are not taken, sobbing will be on our
door-steps.
Praying
Praying must be the order of the day. Not only will we be protecting pupils
through prayer but also their teachers and all support staff in the kingdom.
When Peter was jailed, it is said that the church behind agglutinated with him
through prayer. As a result, the angel of God came to his rescue. If we pray
non-stop, God is surely going to intervene.
People living in glass houses must not throw stones because this pandemic has
affected all of us. We all have children who are going back to school despite
the escalating numbers of positive cases.
Let us not point fingers but support the pupils.
Wakhe Simelane