Freshly pressed uniforms, neatly covered books, sharpened pencils, new teachers and—for some children—a new chapter altogether.
Amidst the excitement of a new academic year are challenges that test not only young minds but the health of our families.
September is prime time for viruses. COVID-19 has crept back into headlines and the usual suspects—coughs, colds, flu and stomach bugs—line up eagerly at the school gates. Children share everything: pencils, snacks, secrets… and germs.
Parents, this is where vigilance begins:
• Teach your children to wash their hands regularly, especially before meals and after the bathroom.
• Show them to sneeze or cough into a tissue or the crook of an elbow—not their hands.
• And please, if they’re unwell, keep them home. That’s kindness in action.
Teachers and schools must also step up: sanitiser, clean classrooms, open windows. A child who is sick needs rest, not ridicule. Seek medical advice if there is persistent fever, rash, vomiting, shortness of breath, chest pain, cough or unusual fatigue.
Too many lunch kits are stuffed with sugary drinks, processed snacks, and the infamous “brightly coloured” sodas that promise a burst of energy but deliver only crashes. A child’s brain needs proper fuel:
Protein—like eggs, legumes or fish.
Whole grains—like oats or sandwiches.
Fresh fruit or vegetables—better than candy, always.
Water beats fizzy drinks. A sandwich beats a bag of cheesy curls. No one expects perfection—just intentionality.
Stress isn’t reserved for adults anymore. Our children wrestle with bullying, peer pressure, exam anxiety, and even family struggles. The SEA exam, for some, feels like a mountain looming for years. Let’s remind them—they are more than their marks.
Speak to your children. Pray with them. Push for schools to provide counselling and safe spaces. The health of the mind is as sacred as the health of the body.
We live in an age where the glow of a phone has replaced the glow of the firefly. Social media validation, gaming marathons, YouTube obsessions—these come at a cost: poor sleep, eye strain, anxiety and lower self-esteem.
Set boundaries. Encourage outdoor play. And yes, banish phones from bedrooms at night. They’ll protest. You’ll persist. Their brains will thank you later.
Primary school children need 9–12 hours of sleep. Teenagers need 8–10. Establish calming routines—story time, prayer or quiet music. A well-rested child is a child ready to bloom.
Our schoolyards are no longer immune to the darkness of the wider society. Fights, knives, even online threats creep in. As parents, teachers and guardians, we must remain watchful. Get to know your child’s friends. Attend PTA meetings. Insist on anti-bullying programmes.
As our children head back into classrooms, let us clothe them not just in uniforms but in prayers. Bless their mornings.
Ask them not only, “What did you learn today?” but also, “Who did you help today?” That’s the true measure of an education worth having.
To the teachers—those heroes with chalk-stained fingers and endless patience—we see you. Your work is nation-building and soul-shaping. And your impact stretches far beyond the curriculum.
To the little ones clutching their mother’s hand on the first day, and the teens who act too cool to care—we believe in you. You are not too young for greatness. You are not too small to carry big dreams. God is walking with you.
And to the parents and guardians—you may worry if you’re doing enough. But if you’ve loved, prayed, and tried your best, then you’ve done more than enough.
The new academic year is not something to fear, but to embrace with faith. Education is a divine calling and health is its companion.
Together, they give us not just scholars, but citizens—children who are academically brilliant, emotionally whole, spiritually grounded and ready to light up the world.
