In a bid to ensure that parents have a positive headstart in tackling children’s issues especially when they have reached their teenage years, Sayyidina Ali Secondary School recently organised a motivational talk for parents of Pre-U2 and Year 11 students.
The talk was delivered by Cikgu Ali Yusri bin Abd Ghafor, an officer from the Career Guidance and Counselling Department under the Ministry of Education.

The two deputy principals of the school, Cikgu Anni Sindai and Cikgu Dk Mas Juleana as well as teachers and staff attended the talk.

Cikgu Ali Yusri in his briefing, instructed parents to be more aware of their children’s activities and to be more approachable so that their children are not aloof and don’t approach their parents. This is to avoid their children from being involved in immoral activities such as the misuse of drugs.

“Do not pamper your children too much,” he said, giving an example of his own child who was in Year Seven a few years ago, came up to him and requested for a mobile phone.

In declining his daughter’s request, he gave her a task where his daughter must state the advantages and disadvantages of possessing one and to tell him how many students in her class owned one. His technique worked and his daughter did not see the need of owning one until she is in Year 12.

“Reason with your child. Do not scold them unnecessarily. It is expected that your children will question your ultimatum and therefore, parents should be able to raise their questions wisely.”

Other points he touched on were disciplinary issues where parents should be consistent in implementing their rules. Being in a good mood does not give parents the reason to excuse their child’s bad behaviour. Bad behaviour should be dealt with while good ones should be appreciated and rewarded.

“Do not belittle your children’s capabilities. Instead, parents should appreciate that their children are unique individuals with different potentials.

“Parents are not perfect. We too make mistakes, so never shy away from apologising to your child if you have blatantly made a mistake. Help your children. Be there for them when they need you.”

He also cited an example where parents should think of their children’s happiness and not to assert unnecessary pressure on them.

“If your child should fail in their exam, do not punish them harshly especially if they have done their best. Deal with it by talking to them and telling them that you love them. This is a much more effective way if you want to see them achieve success in the future.”

Cikgu Ali Yusri was invited to motivate parents as an additional tool to their children’s success in facing their public examinations at the end of the year.

At the end of the briefing, Cikgu Ali Yusri was presented with a souvenir as a token of appreciation for his contribution in helping SMSA’s students.

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