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The new Kenyan curriculum emphasizes the role of parents as integral to the curriculum’s successful implementation. This development requires a mental and societal shift in how parents and the community interact with schools and education. The perception (at least in Kenya) has always been that education is the sole responsibility of the school and the teacher. The role of the parent therefore has been clearly cut out to provide all material requirements for schooling and avail the child in school every morning; but is this enough?
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How then can parents become involved in their children’s education? One may ask.
First, it is extremely essential for a child to know that parents care about his/her educational progress. One avenue parents can leverage is parents’ meetings organized by the school.
During this time, parents should be deliberate about interacting with the child’s class teacher and follow-up on the child’s progress. Moreover, parents should focus on holistic child progress and focus beyond academic scores to inquire about the child’s behavior and other non-academic interests of the child.
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Second, it is important for parents to engage their children in conversation regarding what happens at school while at home. This engagement creates an opportunity for parents to learn about activities their children are engaged while at school and may aid parents to further support these interests. Additionally, children may reveal struggles they are facing in school and provide an opportunity for parents to support them. If the challenges cannot be solved only by the parent, the parent can then follow-up with the teacher. Such interactions between parents and children reinforce to the child that a parent cares and promote a positive psychological environment for children to share challenges even in the future without prompting.
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Third, parents can check children’s books and support children in their homework. Here, parents do not necessarily need expertise or even be knowledgeable of the subject content. The direct interaction with a child’s schoolwork communicates and affirms parents’ interest in the child’s schoolwork. Furthermore, through these periodical reviews parents can easily identify their children’s academic strengths and support in shaping future career paths for their children.
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In conclusion, parental involvement carries benefits. According to Vyn Wak[1] when students know that their parents will follow-up on their schoolwork, students learn to value education and even behave better when in school benefits that cut-across all socio-economic boundaries. In addition parental involvement in education motivates schools to improve the quality of teaching which translates to higher student achievement.
[1] Van Wyk, J. N. 2008. A comparative perspective on the theories, policies and practices of parent involvement in education. Lecture paper: University of South Africa. August 2008.
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Contributor: Maurine Makena – Senior Learning & Evaluations Officer
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3 Comments
Nicola Kiara
Thank you, very true and relevant! Would like to see a push for more Kenyan male parents being involved in their children’s education and learning! You will find that Mums are the ones who engage their children the most in their learning, help them with homework and even attend school meetings and parent teacher conferences at the end of each term. Fathers, let’s have you involved in this fundamental role and make a difference especially for the boy child. I celebrate all dads and mums who are actively involved in raising the next leaders!
Dignitas
Thank you Nicola! You bring out a very important point. We also advocate for the same, where all parents are actively engaged in their child’s educational progress. All stakeholders have a part to play.
Joseph Omondi Ouko
This is a very well calculated move, as it will promote excellence in academic performance of the child by cultivating total commitment when the child knows very well that their parents are also part and parcel in their studies. Going by the perception that naturally,children respect their parents. They will therefore be encouraged to work harder.