Runaway children: Is it the parents' fault?

SHAH ALAM - Prioritising children's education and instilling good manners are essential for parents, as neglecting these aspects constitutes parental failure even before the children display disobedience.

In discussions about runaways (children), the issue of parental accountability emerged as a central point of debate, highlighting the intricate relationship between parental responsibility and their children's actions.

Former minister in the prime minister's department (religious affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said parents played a crucial role in imparting knowledge and fostering physical and moral growth of their children, while mosques nurtured their spirituality and schools focused on intellectual development.

"This comprehensive approach aligns with the country's education policy, which emphasises Physical, Emotional, Spiritual and Intellectual (PESI) aspects, highlighting the responsibility of parents to educate their children accordingly.

"Failing to provide education and instill good manners in children constitutes failure on the part of parents even before the children disobey them.

"Hence, it is imperative for parents to prioritise the education of their children," he said during the "Program Sembang Ramadan: Tanya Je Ustaz!" programme which was held live at the Karangkraf Group Complex, here, yesterday.

Zulkifli also highlighted that the process of educating children required careful consideration and guidance.

Drawing wisdom from the teachings and practices of Saidina Ali RA, he said it was advised to engage in play and humour with children between the age of one and seven, recognising their youth and innocence.

He said from ages seven to 14, educate them, while from 14 to 21, the emphasis shifted to fostering companionship and friendship with them.

"Saidina Umar RA also emphasised the importance of educating children using methods appropriate for their time, rather than ours. In today's era, children have different perspectives and desires.

"What may have been considered unusual in the past, like playing and talking alone or solitary activities, is now commonplace. Understanding their world and adapting our approach to education accordingly is essential," he said.

Zulkifli said parents must adopt new parenting techniques to effectively educate their children.

"It is crucial to address these issues and closely monitor our children's behaviour. These children have a characteristic called the youth’s spirit and they often exhibit rebelliousness, which presents challenges for parents.

"While resorting to physical discipline like using a cane may offer a temporary solution, it is not sustainable in the long run.

"Instead, we must employ methods rooted in knowledge, logic, reason and compassion to effectively address these challenges," he added.

Recently, it was reported that a 12-year-old girl named Siti Dhia Batrisyia Mohd Chairil Anuar who was reported missing on March 12, was found safe, five days later (March 17) while she was walking alone near a shop lot area in Sri Rampai, Kuala Lumpur at 2.28am.

Her mother Syarifah Rosfazila Syed Muhammad Fazili said her daughter was found by the police from the Dang Wangi district police headquarters and she was notified of the discovery by the Sri Rampai Rukun Tetangga patrol unit.

Syarifah said before her daughter's disappearance, she reprimanded the girl for missing school.