Parents as partners in children's education

CEBU, Philippines - Home is where children can learn the basics in life, and parents are their primary teacher. 

Parents can do much in providing their children the right education they deserve.

While children are taught formally of reading, writing, and counting inside the four corners of a classroom, parents can educate their children right within the comforts of their own home.

Parents are the chief educators of children since children's acquisition of knowledge lies on how well his parents make every opportunity to learn available for them.

The big responsibility of parents begins in the home. But other than preparing nutritious baon for kids and sending them to school, parents can do more to support their children's schooling. 

Although the school is considered to be an extension of the home and teachers have a special parental authority over the pupils, parents ought not to be complacent  andleave everything to the teachers. Beyond the need to learn basic skills, guidance and support from parents can be very useful as children face the real world.

How can parents support in the education of their children?

Parents can join the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and other organizations that will lead them to actively participate on the decision-making of the educational services for their children. They can also participate in school-based activities, such as parent-teacher conferences or small-group meetings. By simply receiving and responding to written communications from the teacher or coming to school for a private meeting with an adviser, or at least being available at times parental attention or presence is called for school authorities.

Aside from helping prepare their children for school programs, parents can also volunteer in school activities.

A parent of three pupils in Tamiao Elementary School, Bantayan, a beneficiary school of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.'s (RAFI) School Rehabilitation Program, shares how she has been supporting her children's education.

"During the one-week School Community Brigade, I made sure I come to school every day. I painted walls, ceilings, and chairs. As a mother, it is my obligation to help in the activities related to the education of my children," Eufemia Ybañez, 48, said in Cebuano.

"I know that participating in school activities makes my children happy," Ybañez added.

Financial concerns may pose limitations, but these must not hinder parents from ensuring what is best for their children.

"I help my husband in his carpentry work. I also wash the clothes of our neighbors to help provide for the family's needs," sheshared

The School Community Brigade is an initiative of RAFI and is a component of RAFI's School Rehabilitation Program, which involves school clean-up, painting of classrooms, or school repairs where parents can participate in.

As school volunteers, parents can also serve as classroom teacher's aide. A parent can assist the teacher in beautifying the classroom or preparing the materials for the day's lessons.

It is also highly advisable for teachers to ask parents to closely monitor whether their child is doing their homework or not. Parents' constant monitoring and follow up on their child's performance in school would greatly help.

According to a survey conducted in 1982, almost all teachers were reported talking with children's parents either in person, by phone, or on open school nights, and sending notices to their home. This technique must have been helpful then and when applied by teachers nowadays, will surely produce far-reaching results.

"We call the attention of parents whose children have study habit problems and tell them of the situation," Elizabeth Daculan, school head of Bago Elementary School in Asturias. The school is a beneficiary of RAFI's School Rehabiliatation Program.

At home, parents can assist their children in their homework or school projects. Encouraging them to do advance reading or studying can also be beneficial.

"Limiting the time for television viewing or internet usage during school days are interventions parents can make to ensure their children can focus on their studies," Daculan added.

Although lack of time could be a major barrier for many parents, especially working parents, they still must know that any spare time they can spend with their children would mean a lot. Reading a short story or a poem with your child before going to bed or even sleeping beside them makes them feel your love and their importance to you.

This is also an opportunity for parents to inculcate goodvalues in their children, thus contributing to the latter's emotional, psychological,a nd physical growth and well-being.

For parents to be able to give the best support to their children, they must be well-informed of their role as primary teachers. Teachers and school administrators can help in reminding parents of their role. They are responsible for encouraging the parents to get involved in the education of their children.

By actively supporting children in their journey of learning, parents are rearing them to become good individuals with potentials of becoming good citizens of this country. For more information about RAFI's School Rehabilitation Program, please contact Jicel Reve Gabriel at 418-7234 loc. 209, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph  (FREEMAN)