Meru: Parents and guardians have been urged to constructively engage their children who completed the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination last week to keep them busy as they await their results and transition to tertiary learning. Speaking to KNA, the Igembe South sub-county education officer, Godana Barire, stressed the importance of encouraging these children to volunteer in local organizations and enrolling them in short courses such as beauty therapy, computer packages, and driving to occupy their time.According to Kenya News Agency, Godana Barire emphasized that as parents and guardians, resources should be sacrificed to enroll children in short courses or encourage them to learn practical skills in various sectors such as carpentry, mechanics, hairdressing, and tailoring through apprenticeship. He noted that short courses, besides keeping the youngsters busy and providing life skills, also enhance their employability.Godana added that if these youngsters are occupied with mea ningful activities, chances of indulging in negative behaviors such as drug and substance abuse, petty crime, among other forms of social deviance, will be minimal. "Our children have a long break before transitioning to tertiary learning. This calls for parents to engage them meaningfully to ensure they remain focused and productive," the officer maintained.He maintained that short courses are a prerequisite to a better tertiary life because of the pre-exposure and life skills earned by these classes of graduates. The experience and skills gained will make them agile to knowledge acquisition in both practical experience and the academic world.He further cautioned parents who leave their teenagers unsupervised, especially after completing their KCSE, noting that without proper guidance, these young individuals may fall prey to peer pressure and engage in negative activities that could adversely affect their lives.