Parents play a huge role in the success or failure of their children's education. They help with homework, make sure the kids get to school on time, and get them the supplies they need. According to the South African Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor, there's another task parents should take on to prepare their kids for the school day -- frisking them.
Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate a new Safer Schools Programme, Pandor told parents to "check your children to see that they are not carrying any dangerous weapons and drugs. You cannot leave it all to the teachers and me. All of us - learners, parents, community leaders, teachers and police - have a responsibility to make our schools safe places."
I understand that there may be significant cultural differences between South Africa and the United States, but even so, I'm not sure that searching your kids before they walk out the door is such a great way to build their trust. On the other hand, it is important, I think, for parents to know exactly what's in their kids' backpacks, be it drugs, weapons, homework or frogs. What do you think? Do you keep on top of what your kids are packing?
译文:
父母可以让学校更加安全
父母在对孩子的教育成功与否上面起着重要作用。他们帮助孩子完成作业，确保孩子准时到达学校，得到必要的补给。南非教育部长Naledi Pandor说，父母还要执行另一项任务，即让孩子为上学做好准备——对他们搜身。
Pandor在一次校园安全项目的纪念仪式上讲话，他对家长们说，要“检查孩子们的物品，看看他们是否携带了危险武器和毒品。你们不能把这项任务都留给我和老师们。我们所有的人——包括学生、父母、社团负责人、老师和警方——都有责任让我们的学校变成安全之地。”
我明白，南非和美国之间的文化差异可能非常明显，但是即便如此，我还是不确定在孩子出门前搜查孩子的物品是否有利于建立与孩子之间的信任度。另一方面，我认为让父母了解孩子的书包里都放了什么也很重要，没准放了毒品、武器、作业或者青蛙呢。你认为如何？你知道自己孩子的背包里都装了什么吗？