Education Minister Rosy Akbar says it’s important for parents to identify the situations their child is experiencing and not to play the blame game.

This was the sentiment she shared while officiating at the opening of two teacher’s quarters at Burua Primary School and Nasesevia Secondary School in the highlands of Nawaicoba, Navosa on Monday.

Akbar stressed the need for parents not to shift parenting responsibility towards teachers.

“Let us not shift our parental responsibility to our teachers. Our teachers are there to look after your children, protect your children, safe-guard your children and teach your children. But as parents, it’s my humble plea to all of us present here today let’s be more vigilant of where our children are – let’s take note of who our children are with.”

Akbar urged parents to be more aware of their children’s whereabouts and what they are doing.

“Let’s be more responsive to what our children are doing, where do they go? If there’s any sign of any abnormal behavior please pick it up as parents and refer it to your teachers wherever your child feels comfortable. Let’s not just say – okay teachers the children are your responsible. Yes they are our responsibility in our classrooms and if they live in a community it’s our responsibility as well. But we need to fulfill our parental responsibility to protect our children from any form of abuse or sexual harassment, violence and anything.”

The Education Ministry continues to help parents and teachers when the need arises however, Akbar says they must work together to fulfill a child’s need for security, proper education and good upbringing.