MINISTER of Education Sonia Parag has urged students to resist peer pressure and embrace their individuality, stressing that confidence and self-identity are key to making positive choices.
Parag spoke to the students during a recent Sexual and Reproductive Health symposium at Bartica, Region Seven, during which she called on young people to understand that they have the power to say no to behaviours and activities that may negatively affect their lives.
Addressing students directly, she questioned whether they often feel pressured to imitate friends or social groups. She used examples such as vaping and engaging in activities simply because others make them appear “cool.”
“You do not need to be “cool” by giving in to peer pressure,” the minister told the gathering while emphasising the importance of making independent decisions rather than following trends.
Parag said many young people are often influenced by what those around them are doing and may feel compelled to fit in, but she reminded students that saying no is not a weakness.
“How many of you understand that you have the power to say no? … And that’s okay,” she said.
According to the minister, learning to make independent choices marks the beginning of developing confidence and a strong sense of self.
Against this backdrop, she highlighted the importance of recognising and appreciating personal uniqueness, noting that people were not meant to be identical.
“If we were meant to look the same and be the same, we would have been the same and looked the same, but we’re not. We’re all different, and we’re all unique,” Parag said.
She stressed that students should never feel pressured to become like someone else in order to gain acceptance or popularity.
“No one needs to be like someone else to fit in. No one needs to be like someone else to be cool,” she added, warning that individuals should not harm themselves or compromise their well-being simply to gain approval from others.
She went on to highlight that many young people fear exclusion from social groups if they choose not to participate in certain activities, explaining that such behaviour can amount to bullying.
She noted that children between the ages of nine and 16 are often particularly vulnerable, as they are navigating significant emotional and physical changes during that stage of their lives.
As part of her advice, the education minister encouraged students to speak openly with their parents and seek guidance when facing challenges or uncertainties.
