Morality & shared responsibility of children’s behaviour

The circulation of a video showing minors engaged in vulgar dancing during a school Christmas social has reignited concerns surrounding student behaviour, adult supervision, and the wider social values influencing the nation’s youth. The Ministry of Education’s decisive condemnation of the incident has highlighted a pressing reality: safeguarding students requires institutional vigilance as well as commitment to moral guidance from homes and schools.
The behaviour captured on camera is troubling not simply because of its explicit nature but because it highlights system-wide gaps that allow such conduct to occur during a supervised school activity. Schools are mandated to uphold standards of discipline, decency, and respect, standards that form part of a broader moral foundation essential to the development of young people. When such behaviour emerges within a structured academic setting, it reflects shortcomings that extend beyond students themselves. It signals failures in supervision, in adherence to directives, and in the alignment of expectations between educational institutions and parents.
The Ministry’s reminder that guidelines for the proper oversight of Christmas socials were issued in advance places emphasis on accountability within schools. However, oversight cannot and should not rest solely with educators. Parents play an equally critical role in shaping conduct long before students enter the school gates. The values taught and reinforced at home – respect, self-control, appropriateness, and awareness of consequences – directly influence the decisions children make when adults are not immediately present. A well-supervised school environment cannot compensate for the absence of strong moral grounding in the home.
As public reaction to the video intensifies, the need for a broader national reflection becomes clear. Children are shaped by a tapestry of influences: family life, community norms, media consumption, peer dynamics, and online content. The inappropriate conduct displayed in the video is part of a wider pattern driven by exposure to hypersexualised behaviour in music, social media trends, and entertainment. Meaningful progress requires parents to remain vigilant, engaged, and proactive in providing guidance that counters these influences. Moral leadership begins in the home, and without it, schools face an uphill battle.
The ongoing investigation by the Ministry of Education is expected to clarify where supervisory lapses occurred and what corrective actions are necessary. But disciplinary responses alone will not address the underlying issues. Strengthening the moral fabric of society demands collective responsibility. Schools must uphold clear codes of conduct, teachers must reinforce expected behaviours, and parents must continuously instil values that promote dignity, discipline, and respect. Community involvement must complement these efforts, ensuring that youth are surrounded by examples that encourage positive conduct rather than undermine it.
The rapid spread of the video on social media further magnifies the need for stronger digital literacy and awareness programmes. Students must be taught not only what constitutes inappropriate behaviour but also how the online world can immortalise misjudgements, sometimes with long-term consequences. Parents, too, must be attentive to their children’s digital interactions, guiding them on responsible usage and monitoring exposure to harmful content.
A constructive response must extend beyond condemnation, as the situation presents an opportunity for renewed cooperation between schools and parents, with a shared determination to prevent such incidents from recurring. Clearer protocols for school-sponsored activities, reinforced staffing for supervision, stronger home-school communication and increased parental participation in school life are critical steps toward ensuring safer environments.
The incident, while regrettable, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of moral grounding and shared responsibility. The Ministry’s firm position is an important beginning, but the long-term solution rests equally in homes, classrooms, and communities. Upholding the values that guide young people requires consistent reinforcement starting from parents at home.