PARENTS WHO do not play an active role in their children's academic life will be forced to do so as the Government intends to implement a mandatory parenting education programme for mothers and fathers.
Director of communications at the Ministry of Education, Dorett Campbell, told The Gleaner that this programme will focus on three levels of the education system: early childhood, primary and secondary. She said that the curriculum has not been fully developed but they will be using St. Elizabeth Technical High School that has a parenting education programme in place as a benchmark, as well as looking at other schools that have similar programmes. The Ministry is working towards a September start.
THE WORKSHOP
St. Elizabeth Technical High started a workshop for parents last November, which lasted for two months and 300 parents graduated from the programme in January and received certificates. The workshop is expected to be an annual event and the school intends to have another one in November to coincide with parents' month.
Dorothy Samuda, principal of the school, told The Gleaner in an interview that the school decided to employ such a programme because of some of the challenges that the students were facing.
"Some parents are young and inexperienced and they need guidance," she explained.
WORK TOGETHER
She noted that they thought if parents and the school work together both groups would benefit. "We felt that we needed to provide information so they could better nurture and guide students" she said.
The workshop for each grade was held on separate days. The workshop looked at the holistic development of the child and therefore looked at the physical, mental, personal and social development. There was also a session that looked at troubled adolescents and the signs that parents should look for such as pre-occupation with suicide and drug abuse. Parents of Grade 11 students were educated on the importance of the School-Based Assessment (SBA).
"We got them involved to ensure that students meet deadlines and to inform them how important the exams are."
Mrs. Samuda said that it is hoped that children would improve in terms of their attitude and personal development. It is hoped that this programme will help to foster "a better relationship and understanding of their children and we hope that parents will work closer with the school and let them know that this is a partnership and we can work together" she added.
Ardenne High School has a similar programme where they invite parents in November (parents' month) for a one-day seminar. In addition to that Rosalie Bogle, guidance counsellor, said that whenever the need arises, programmes are put in place.
She explained that in the last school year they targeted students who are at risk and had a one-day seminar for both parents and children. Ardenne also has a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) office on the school grounds that organises meetings and where parents can visit or call the office if they have any grouses.
OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
Meanwhile, the other stakeholders in the education system totally endorse this move by the Government, as they believe that it will boost academic performance of children.
Leslie Mair, principal of Ewarton High School in St. Catherine, said, "I am in total agreement with this (parent education programme)." He further added that this should have been done a long time ago because the whole process of education cannot be left to the school alone. He said that children whose parents are more involved in their school life usually perform better and once parents know that they have an integral role to play, it will improve academic performance.
Miguel McKoy, father of a seven-year-old primary school child, believes that it is a good move by the Government to execute such a programme. Given the poor performance of the education system, he thinks this should have been done long
time ago.
