By Kisean Joseph
The Ministry of Education has introduced a pilot program aimed at recognizing and encouraging parental involvement in schools.
The pilot for “Parent of the Term” program, which was launched recently in six schools across the nation, represents the latest development in the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to positive behavior management strategies.
The initiative, supported by UNICEF, will evaluate parents based on their engagement with their children’s education and school community.
Cindy Price, a social worker with the Ministry of Education and a member of the Positive Behavior Management Committee highlighted the role that parents play in their children’s success.
“Research has proven that parents play a critical role in their children’s education and holistic development overall. “Their involvement positively impacts a child’s academic achievement, and it also fosters the development of social, emotional, and other important life skills,” she said.
The program will initially operate in four primary schools – Liberta, Old Road, Villa, and Pares – along with two secondary institutions – Glanvilles and Irene B Williams. Each institution will establish a selection committee comprising PTA members, teachers, and students to evaluate parents across five key criteria.
Meanwhile, Bridget Bascombe, the Acting Principal of Liberta Primary School has already noticed enthusiasm among her staff for the program.
“When we discussed this initiative, already teachers said, ‘Oh, I know, I have this person in mind.’ There are some parents who work well with the school, not just at Liberta, but in every school. We just want to get more parents involved in that big picture,” Bascombe said.
The evaluation criteria include active participation in school activities, support of children’s academic progress, demonstration of good moral qualities, adherence to school values and behavior policies, and positive advocacy for their children.
Price detailed specific expectations, such as attendance at PTA meetings and support of extracurricular activities.
“We’re looking for somebody who communicates with us in a respectful manner, and not just the teachers or the staff, but also with other parents and other stakeholders.
“You’re communicating respectfully with these persons and interacting in a positive manner whenever they are on the school compound,” she noted.
Winners will receive recognition through both school-based perpetual plaques and personal awards, including gift certificates and other prizes funded by UNICEF.
Each school will select an overall winner and two runners-up.
The initiative complements the Ministry’s adoption of Positive Behavior Management as its primary discipline strategy since 2010, which emerged from UNICEF’s Child Friendly Schools program introduced in 2007.