Parental Responsibility for the Education and Upbringing of a Child — The Foundation of a Healthy Society
A child is the great capital of every family and the future of society. The proper upbringing and education of a child is not only the task of parents, but the responsibility of society as a whole. After all, the personality formed today within the family and educational institution builds the future of society. If a child is raised in a healthy environment filled with love, respect, and responsibility, the likelihood of them growing up to be an educated, patriotic, and responsible individual is significantly higher.
Recognizing the importance of this issue, the Republic of Tajikistan adopted the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Responsibility for the Education and Upbringing of a Child" on June 20, 2024. This law regulates relations related to parental responsibility for a child's education and upbringing, aiming to foster children in the spirit of humanism, patriotic pride, respect for national, universal, and cultural values, while focusing on the protection of the child's rights and interests.
The Family — The First School of Upbringing
The first environment where a child is raised is the family. Above all, children learn by example through the behavior and attitude of their parents and other family members. Therefore, raising a child is not limited to merely providing clothing, food, and material conditions. Love, attention, supervision, proper treatment, and the personal example of adults play a vital role in shaping a child's worldview.
Parents must guide their children toward acquiring knowledge, a strong work ethic, honesty, respect for elders, love for the Motherland, and adherence to the law. At the same time, they must pay attention to the child's problems, communicate with them, and take their thoughts and feelings into account.
The law emphasizes that responsibility for a child's education and upbringing does not rest on a single person alone. In this process, parents, state authorities, educational institutions, and society each have their respective duties and roles.
The Role of Parents in a Child's Education
One of the primary duties of parents is to create conditions for their child's studies. A child must have the opportunity to acquire knowledge, develop their abilities, and prepare to choose the right path in life.
Parents should not remain indifferent to their child's education. Simply sending a child to school is not enough. It is essential that they stay informed about the learning process, the child's relationship with teachers and classmates, the completion of homework, and their academic progress.
Constant cooperation between parents and teachers can help improve the quality of education and upbringing. When the family and the school work together, a child's problems are identified and resolved in a timely manner.
Spiritual and Patriotic Upbringing of the Child
One of the key objectives of the law is to raise children in the spirit of humanism, patriotism, and respect for national, universal, and cultural values.
Patriotism begins with love for one's family, local region, native language, culture, and national history. Therefore, parents must provide their children with accurate information about the history and culture of the nation, national values, and civic responsibility.
A child who knows the past of their people and respects their cultural values can approach the future of their country with a greater sense of responsibility.
The Role of the School in Education and Upbringing
Educational institutions are the second most important environment for a child's development after the family. A teacher not only imparts knowledge to a student but also contributes to shaping their morality, worldview, and attitude toward society.
To make education and upbringing effective, cooperation between teachers and parents is essential. Parents must treat the recommendations of educational institutions responsibly and actively participate in resolving matters concerning their child.
Along with this, the educational institution itself must create favorable conditions for cooperating with the family. Good results can only be achieved through two-way cooperation.
Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Child
A child must grow up in a safe and healthy environment. Protecting their rights and interests is one of the priority directions of state policy. The legislation of Tajikistan recognizes the child's right to life, freedom, inviolability, honor, dignity, and protection, and strictly prohibits the use or threat of violence against a child.
Therefore, interactions with a child must be built on the foundation of respect and love. Punishing or humiliating a child is not the right way to educate. On the contrary, conversation, explanation, personal example, and reasonable supervision are much more effective in correcting behavior.
The Responsibility of Society
The education and upbringing of a child is not just the concern of a single family. The social environment, friends, educational institutions, mass media, and internet networks also influence a child's worldview and behavior.
In modern times, reasonable control over the use of the internet and social media has gained greater importance. A child can find both useful and harmful information in the virtual space. Therefore, parents must guide their children in the proper use of digital technologies.
It is crucial that supervision does not turn into pressure. Trust and open communication between parents and children can be the best way to prevent many problems.
Liability for Non-Compliance with the Law
Alongside defining rights and obligations, the Law "On Responsibility for the Education and Upbringing of a Child" also provides for liability. According to Article 23 of the said Law, physical and legal persons who fail to comply with its requirements shall be held liable in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan.
This provision demonstrates that responsibility for a child's education and upbringing is not merely a moral concept, but also carries legal significance.
The Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Responsibility for the Education and Upbringing of a Child" is one of the most important legal acts regarding the education and upbringing of the younger generation. Its main purpose is to create favorable conditions for child development, protect their rights and interests, and increase the accountability of all subjects involved in the educational process.
Raising a healthy, educated, patriotic, and responsible child begins in the family. In addition to providing material conditions, parents must pay serious attention to the spiritual and moral upbringing of the child. Meanwhile, the school must act as an active partner to the family in this process.
Ultimately, the future of the state and the nation depends on the current generation. If every parent, teacher, and member of society correctly understands their responsibility toward the child, we will be able to raise a knowledgeable, enlightened, patriotic, and constructive generation. Because proper child rearing is an investment in the nation's future.
Sobirzoda Eraj Mahmadlatif
Leading Specialist at the Department of Protection and Development of Competition under the Antimonopoly Service of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan