Education Minister Shaik Baksh has called on fathers to be more supportive in the home and to play a more active role in their children’s education. Baksh, who was speaking at the recent commissioning of the Bath Nursery School in Region Five, said fathers should not only be financial supporters in their homes, but must also play a central role in inculcating values of acceptable behaviours in their children.
The latter responsibility, he observed, has often been left to mothers and he urged fathers to play their part in this aspect in moulding the child.
The Minister encouraged parents to routinely check their children’s school books and visit their schools to get first hand information on their behaviour and performance.
He pointed out that at a recent public forum, stakeholders in the education sector contended that poor parenting was one of the major causes for students’ indisciplined behaviour in school.
Baksh told the gathering of mostly parents that the Ministry of Education, with support from other partners, will be hosting workshops in selected areas to enlighten young parents on good parenting skills and the importance of educating their children.
The Ministry has also been working to resuscitate and strengthen the Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) in schools, as it is cognisant that parents have an important role to play in imparting values of discipline and proper conduct to their children.
Still on the issue of discipline, Baksh noted that the National Mentoring Programme which was recently launched at the Lodge Secondary School to address the indiscipline problems there will be extended to more schools.
In addition, teachers are being trained to guide and council problem students.
Baksh explained that his Ministry has embarked on these and other measures as it wants students who are leaving the secondary school system be disciplined enough to further improve themselves and contribute to the country’s development.