Just a few days before schools reopened for the 2016-2017 school year, hundreds of students and parents packed the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium, taking away 800 lunches, backpacks stuffed with school supplies and a very clear message: Parents, if you want to see your child succeed, get involved. “Parental involvement is the most important determinant of success in school,” declared Dr. Bernard Nottage, Minister of National Security and Acting Minister of Education, Science and Technology.

“It is time for parents to be action-oriented, time for parents to be involved. Parents do not have to be well-educated themselves to help their children.” In fact, many of the students who do best in school are children of immigrants. “Their parents cannot speak English but their children typically do better. They do their homework and they study,” said Dr. Nottage, at the annual event co-sponsored by the New Providence Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools in conjunction with the Ministry or Education, Science and Technology and Commonwealth Bank.

Over the years, Commonwealth Bank has donated more than 100,000 backpacks, many at the parenting forum and thousands of others at special events throughout the islands, but more importantly, said Ian Jennings, President of the $1.5 billion financial institution, the bank has consistently supported education and urged parents to know what their youngsters are doing in school, get to know their teachers, show an interest in their homework or projects.

“Commonwealth Bank has a total and unwavering commitment to education and the reason is clear. The very future of our nation depends on having a population that is educated, able to participate successfully both in business and just as importantly in the trades,” said Vice President of Finance, Mrs. Gladys Fernander. Commonwealth Bank has contributed more than $2 million to education over the nine years of the program.

Mrs. Fernander in her remarks also focused on the critical nature of preparing for a future with meaning. “The ultimate future of this nation depends on the students who are now in school…What you learn, how you treat others in class, what you do for extracurricular activities will determine the very growth or lack of it for The Bahamas,” said Mrs. Fernander. “Will we be a country that welcomes fresh ideas, that makes dramatic progress in renewable energy, that forges the way in protecting against climate change? What role will you play? Because surely there will be a role for you.”

She, too, reiterated the importance of parental involvement.

“Studies after studies show how important it is for parents to be involved in the education and development of their children,” she said. “In fact, it is extremely effective in low income families where parents see education as a way for their child or teen to climb out of poverty.” When parents get involved, she said, students earn higher grades, are more likely to graduate, less likely to get into trouble and more likely to go to college.

For the 7th year, Commonwealth Bank partners with the Ministry of Education in hosting its Parenting Forum while sponsoring a back-to-school celebration providing thousands of school bags, supplies and meals to students for nine years running.  Pictured l- r: T. Nicole McKay, Principal, C. R. Walker Senior High School; Lilian Quant-Forbes, Deputy Director, Social Services; Gladys Fernander, VP Finance - Commonwealth Bank; Olly Mae Knowles, Assistant Director of Education, Special Services and Theophilus Claridge, Principal, A. F. Adderley Junior High School.

Director of Education Lionel Sands went even further, urging parents not to expect the school system to act as parent and guardian.

“Bahamian parents, we have relegated the role of raising our children to the teachers and administrators,” said Sands. “Where schools and students have the support of parents, schools do better and so do students.” With some 3,082 teachers back in the classrooms to teach 44,892 secondary students, according to Sands, “we need every single parent to do their part.”

This year’s event was the 7th Annual Parenting Forum and the ninth time Commonwealth Bank sponsored a back-to-school celebration providing thousands of school bags, supplies and meals. Nicola McKay, President of the New Providence Association of Public High Schools, thanked the bank and echoed the message that school is not just for students but for the whole family. “One of the objectives of this forum is to impress upon parents the importance of taking a more active role in their children’s education, not just at the start or end of a school year, but throughout the entire year,” McKay said.

With branches in Nassau, Grand Bahama and Abaco and over 500 staff members, Commonwealth Bank is the nation’s largest all-Bahamian bank. In addition to its support of education, the bank is a major contributor to youth development, law enforcement and the fight against cancer among other causes where its contribution has made a real difference in the quality of life.

Source: Diane Phillips & Associates