IT IS easy for a parent to think that just because they pay fees for their sons and daughters, they are wholly exempted from responsibilities like ensuring hygiene. But responsible parents should be the ones to set the standards for teachers and others involved in bringing up their children. 

I remember my primary days so well. And why wouldn’t I? Even though the teachers at school were keen on hygiene, my mother had her own inspection every morning that was of a much more thorough nature. I have never quite moved on from it.

She checked my hair for that louse that thought it had found the perfect hiding spot (those little bastards spread like a wildfire), she stood by the sink and made sure that the toothpaste on my brush actually met my teeth and proceeded to guard the door to watch me scrub every inch of my body, and not just my feet! 

This is not some scheme to get my mother that long overdue ‘Mother of the Year’ award, but the sight of a dirty child simply didn’t go down well with her. I know very many mothers who would rather let their kid miss school than watch them leave the house looking a mess.  

For parents, hygiene in their children should be more than just a health issue; clean and neat children develop self esteem and can earn respect amongst their peers. 

You know it is serious when the streets are cleaner than your own child’s uniform. I was mortified when I saw a group of kids as early as 9:00am in uniforms that looked like they needed a soak in every detergent known to man – and for a couple of days too. My shame heightened when I noticed that each of them wore whatever footwear they stumbled on first that morning. It was hard to imagine that they were coming from home to school; it looked more like they had been in a labour camp. 

Perhaps not everyone can afford proper school shoes from Bata or Mr Price but we have second hand markets like Nyabugogo and Giporoso that sell shoes in impeccable condition. So, it’s hard to wrap my brain around a child in uniform wearing what look like bathroom slippers that have outdone their time. 

Another was in sneakers that I can only assume had seen about three generations. Their shirts hung sloppily over their skirts and trousers and another finished the look with a sweater I believe he borrowed from his kid brother. 

Now, I understand schools have a job to do in ensuring that their students stay neat at all times, but a parent has no business expecting someone else to groom their child. This is their responsibility because these are their children. 

Teachers didn’t sign up to check if your child is wearing clean underwear.  Did they? As a parent, you are in charge of your own child’s hygiene. Sure, kids will get dirty at school, and that’s fine, just don’t send them there that way. 

Instead of reading a report card that says ‘needs to work on his hygiene’ or putting your child through the misery of being teased or branded ‘ the smelly one’, monitor, nurture and encourage their sanitation. After all, if a parent can’t be bothered about their own child, it is likely that no one else will.