THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHEN THE Ministry of Education fully implements the mandatory parenting programme, the country will have undertaken one of the most necessary steps towards, hopefully, an improved culture of education. I do hope that the programme will be a phenomenal success.
Much of the failure of Jamaica's system of education has been correlated with some of our teachers' irresponsibility and presumed inability to facilitate the transmission of knowledge capably, among other things. In numerous instances, such a correlation is quite indisputable. But are not parents one of the main stakeholders in the crucial process of education? Why then, do many parents overlook their responsibilities and instead, preoccupy themselves with casting judgement squarely at the feet of teachers, and to some extent, the Government of Jamaica? Let me pause to congratulate the parents who are doing a great job at parenting, amidst the challenges of the 21st Century.,
I feel experienced enough to actively advocate that more parents play an active and involved role in their children's education. This kind of parental input can act as a firm stage that will bolster an augmented academic performance of our students given that other imperative resources are available and accessible. Even if parents simply look-on, while children do their homework, for example, can make a remarkable difference in the children's learning.
Parents are reminded that the education of our future leaders is every citizen's obligation. Or, it should be. But even more, it is a partnership that more readily concerns them (parents), schools and the most important group, students. When teachers and parents work together in harmony, our children are most likely to achieve optimally.
I am, etc.,
DELTON PEDLEY
Concerned teacher
6 Reef Avenue
Harbour View
Kingston 17
