"Come, let us reason together," was the call of the principal and teachers of TEM Mrwetyana High School last week while having tea with the parents of the Grade 12 students.
"Come, let us reason together," was the call of the principal and teachers of TEM Mrwetyana High School last week while having tea with the parents of the Grade 12 students.
Over 58 parents were expected to attend the event but only 21 arrived, most of them being mothers. Words of encouragement and advice were shared on how parents and teachers can help each other in making sure that the Grade 12s keep level-headed and don’t buckle under the pressure of the trial and final examinations. Lindelo Ramokolo, the principal of the school said the idea is to involve parents because "we know and acknowledge that parents have a role in ensuring a brighter future for their children and we acknowledge that the school is nothing without them."
In addressing the parents, Rachael Madinda, a teacher said "We called you here so that we can work together in identifying problems faced by our children and the solution comes when teachers and parents unite." The parents were also given some useful tips on how to deal with problems with studying and procrastinating. "Some kids pretend to be studying only when the parent is around, we need you to be vigilant and alert because the children could manipulate you," said Ndileka Mdaka, an accounting teacher at the school.
The teachers encouraged the parents to contact them as frequently as they can to check the progress of their children’s studies. Lonwabo Singatha, a member of the school’s management team said parents musn’t hesitate to reach out and communicate with them, which can be essential in helping both parties do right by the children.
The parents then got the chance to talk to the teachers and voice their concerns. This became very emotional as they opened their hearts to the teachers, telling them more about the problems them and their children are facing. One particularly concerned mother revealed a challenge she has to overcome with her daughter who does not want to study and is threatening to drop out if she sets foot at the school.
The distraught mother says "she is the one studying therefore I have no right to come here, so it’s either I stay away or I come and she drops out of school, what do you advise me to do?" Her story was received with shock and amazement from both the teachers and parents who advised her not to visit the school but rather to call or maybe send a letter through one of the other learners.
"Love and support your children, pamper them especially at this crucial time. No matter how much pain and anger they have caused you in the past months, they need all the assurance and motivation they can get," concluded Singatha, "be that listening ear to your child’s cries."
