Teachers, parents and community leaders gathered at Tantyi Primary School on Wednesday to address the systemic problems faced by pupils at the school.
Teachers, parents and community leaders gathered at Tantyi Primary School on Wednesday to address the systemic problems faced by pupils at the school.
Event organiser Nosgqibo Soxujwa said parents needed to play a more active role in their children’s education, and work together with the school to provide a holistic platform for the children to grow from. “Parents are not part of their children’s education,” said Soxujwa.
“They think it is only the teacher’s responsibility, but we want to emphasise that education is not something only for school, it is also at home.” Soxujwa said the parent-teacher event was the first of its kind at the small school of 300 pupils.
Parents were invited on a tour to see the classrooms and review their children’s work. The parents were then addressed by a number of community leaders, including Tantyi’s acting principal Ncoseli Manona, a representative from the department of health, who spoke about the dangers of HIV and Aids, a social worker, and police captain Lennox Mtumni, who spoke about the dangers of children’s involvement in criminal activities.
One pupil, Aphelele Veto, said it was important for parents to help with school work. “My mother helps with homework. I think it is important. I am happy she came here today”. Soxujwa said bad behaviour was the biggest problem faced by teachers and that parents neglected to prepare their children for school, failing to make sure they had their books, stationery and bags.
“They come to school dirty after the weekend,” she said. “Parents haven’t washed their clothes and they are not prepared to learn.” Soxujwa said parents had responded enthusiastically and she hoped the relationship between teachers and parents would develop further.
