If we teach our children to discriminate against those who are not like them, then how can we expect our children to practice and teach non‑discrimination when they themselves become parents, teachers and leaders one day.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa highlighted this while speaking at the closing of the Early Childhood Education Week at Gospel Kindergarten in Samabula today.
Vuniwaqa says before children begin kindergarten or Early Childhood Education they spend all their time at home with loved ones.
She says those people who in one way or another as parents, teachers, care givers, relatives, religious leaders, community leaders, political leaders, impact the wellbeing of children have a unique opportunity to shape the character of that child under their care and to in turn give shape to the future of the nation.
She says the character of children and what we teach them today is what they will become tomorrow as leaders of our nation.
Vuniwaqa says the question we must ask ourselves is what are we teaching our children.
She asked parents if love and respect for each other featured at all in their teachings despite differences in religion, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities and circumstances at home.
