THE belief of teachers is that character training should start at home. It is the chief work of the parents and if anything goes haywire even in the classroom it is the fault of the parents. But how are the parents to know better if no one wanted to teach them when they were young and more receptive. Parental education begins when one becomes a student.

The child of today is the parent of tomorrow. The roles of the parent and teachers are therefore symbiotic. Yet I have heard it said that the curriculum is full. There is no place for another subject especially one that they conceive does not directly focus on preparing the child for work.

But it has often been said that “if character is lost all is lost”. We do not hear the same thing said of knowledge even though this is of huge importance in the mix. The question arises if we are giving the children a sound education, is character development a separate, distinct or equal part of it. We have period for English, math, integrated sciences, physical education but is there a period for” character education” in the schools?

If character is an asset to the management of all enterprises and nation building why is it not given the same status in school as the other subjects?

Go my friend and teach our children
From grade to grade the golden rule of life
Teach them core values of life
Nurture them in wisdom from the very dawn of their lives
From the earliest of days instill in their delicate minds the higher values of life
Stand before them and in their company like a lamp
Set before them a model: a peaceful earth