THE Education Ministry has, for a long time, been stressing the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, since it has been recognised that learning commences in the home.

However, some parents relinquish that important duty when the child starts to attend school.

And so the ministry has been promoting parental involvement, thereby ensuring students receive support outside of the classroom.

The ministry, in an effort to strengthen the bond between the school and parents, has been facilitating a number of parenting workshops throughout the country, at both the secondary and primary levels.

National Parent Teacher Association Coordinator, Carol Benn, emphasises that the planned workshops are as a result of the ministry recognizing the need to give parents information essential for them to become better parents which will result in better children.

Some of the topics addressed at these meetings include understanding PTA, early childhood experiences, positive parenting and the cycle of violence. The topics vary depending on challenges faced by the particular school or community.

Benn disclosed that during the August school break, communities in the outlying areas will be engaged in these workshops.

Thus far, the parents who have participated in the various workshops have expressed enthusiasm.

It has been proven that parental participation in the students’ education facilitates improved academic performance and reduces the number of school drop-outs and acts of truancy.

School, family, and community are important ‘spheres of influence’ on students’ development and their educational development is enhanced when these three environments work collaboratively toward shared goals. (GINA)