Schools have opened across the country. Thousands of children are back in classrooms to be taught by teachers in our public and private schools. Many parents were focused on purchasing items for their children to go back to school. It is admirable that so many are concerned enough to ensure that their children are properly dressed and have the hardware necessary for learning.
However, bags, pens and pencils, and shirts and pants are not enough to ensure that children leave school prepared for the job market and prepared to be reasonable citizens in our society. Our students have not been doing well in national exams for years. The poor results don't even shock us anymore. The average grade for English language was a D and the average grade for mathematics was E+ in the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) exams last school year.
The results were released earlier this month. For children to succeed, parents, guardians and family members must take active roles in their education. Parents must set standards of acceptable behavior both physically and academically so their children know there is an aspiration for them greater than mediocrity and failure. Too many parents just send their children to school and hope the school teaches them something. They don't know the names of the people who teach their children; they don't know what their children are studying; they don't know the names of their children's friends.
Such indifference usually leads to failure. For all those parents who spent hours in malls and shopping centers buying the world to make their children look cool or pretty, you should take up a new posture this new school year. Commit to being interested in the academic and intellectual advancement of your children. Along with setting high standards for achievement and behavior, ask questions about what your child is learning; encourage them to study; go to Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings; meet the people who teach your child; help your child with homework.
When children know parents care and have standards they ensure are met, those children do better. Slack parents through neglect help create the next generation of deviants and criminals. For those who have neglected their children when it comes to education, tomorrow is always the day for the turnaround. You can do better by simply pushing yourselves to get involved. The school exists to help you. You the parent must lead the way to ensure that your child becomes a self-motivated and productive member of our society.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
