Did you know parents not showing up on school visiting days can affect the child's school performance? Studies have shown that parental involvement is a critical factor in a child's education.
They have shown that when parents do not attend school events or meetings, it can negatively impact their child's academic progress and social development. This includes having lower self-esteem and less involvement in school activities.
Tell me why there are crying girls in the school hallways during parent-teacher visits? Anyway, in my deputy parenting era, I planned to visit my nieces at school. We prepared adequately, along with the mother, to ensure the day's success, including food, drinks, mats, and so on. We had everything prepared and were eager to see the girlies.
On such days, the school is abuzz with activities. For students, it is an exciting day as they get to show off their school, their friends and their achievements to their parents/guardians.
On arrival, the usual ceremonies and teacher-parent meetings took place, and it was now time to meet the children. Of course, every child is eager to see his or her parent/guardian. While looking for chairs/sitting space, I encountered several crying girls, some in the school hallways, others in classrooms, and still others in the field; because no one had visited them.
It was not a pleasant experience. It made me sad because I remembered how much we used to plan and anticipate that day. The sympathetic us invited a few girls who had not been visited to enjoy the meals and spend time with us.
Despite our best efforts to cheer them up, these girls cried almost the entire time. Some would even say ‘we do not even live far, and my mum/dad decided to abandon me, what is the reason? I hope to never disappoint my children in future.’ This got me thinking like a parent, trying to figure out why they couldn't make it. Their children felt neglected.
A case study conducted in Kenya by the African Population and Health Research Center found that parent-teacher meetings are often poorly attended, with many parents failing to show up. The study found that some of the reasons for the low attendance included parents' lack of interest in their children's education, work commitments and long distances to travel to the school.
As a result, children whose parents did not attend these meetings tended to have lower academic performance, lower self-esteem, and less involvement in school activities.
This is my message to parents/guardians; parents visiting day at school provides an opportunity for parents to become more involved in their children's education. When parents visit their children's schools, they can see first-hand what their children are learning and how they are progressing academically.
This allows parents to have a better understanding of their children's strengths and weaknesses and to provide support where needed. By being more involved in their children's education, parents can help to ensure that their children succeed in school and beyond.
During these visits, teachers can discuss the curriculum, grading policies, and expectations for the year. They can also share information about any challenges or concerns they may have about individual students. This open communication between parents and teachers is essential for creating a supportive learning environment that fosters success.
This day at school can also help to foster a sense of community among parents, teachers and students. When parents are involved in their children's education, they become part of a larger network of individuals who are invested in the success of the school. This can lead to stronger relationships between parents, teachers, and students and can create a more positive learning environment for everyone involved.
Dear parents/guardians, paying school fees is not enough. I beseech you to be present in your child’s education journey by showing up and being involved. It builds healthy and strong parent, teacher and student relationships and a sense of community.
Moreover, it can be a fun and memorable experience for both parents and children. Therefore, it is important for parents to continue attending parents visiting days and to encourage as many parents as possible to participate.
Programme assistant, Regional Education Learning Initiative Africa
