Boost parent and community involvement
Success in today’s world cannot only be defined by academic success and passing examinations. With strong community support from parents, teachers and local people to children’s lives, education will be enhanced for these children. When children feel confident from collaboration of schools, parents, and community, the experience of learning gets intensified and brings positive energy into the school.
Thus, the schools need to develop trusting relationships which enable them to link with parents and the community. This shouldn’t be limited to school-parent-teacher meetings but will also include two-way communication opportunities for diverse participation and attempts to reach every family.
Building trust and partnerships
Open and two-way communication
When, usually, schools contact parents in such a way that they do not know about the real communication between them, where both may freely express views. To achieve this, schools must use various channels.
- Newsletters and Notices: A small monthly dispatch containing the activities of the school, children’s achievements and upcoming events can be sent.
- Mobile App or WhatsApp Group: Most parents these days have smart phones. App or WhatsApp provides a hassle-free medium to share information at an instant.
- Video message: Sometimes a small video message from the principal or teacher goes a long way in providing parents with a feeling of personal connection.
- Sans report card: PTM visitors may talk not only about report cards but will also look deep into the progress, interests, and challenges of the student.
Letting parents speak gives them a feel of belonging instead of just being spectators.
Welcoming school environment
Just imagine, if a parent enters the school and feels awkward even from the entrance, will that parent actually want to come again? The answer is no. The school has to create an environment that is open and welcoming.
- The parent resource room: A little haven where parents can comfortably lounge and read books, look for information, or pick up resources for their children.
- Open-door policy: Teachers and principals should make it clear that parents can come at any time with any concern or suggestion.
- Small things: Lettering parents’ names on the welcome boards, organizing a children’s art exhibition, or putting inspirational messages around the school’s walls—goes a long way.
Surveys and focus groups
Every parent’s needs are proportional to one another. Few are busy, few have a language barrier. The best way to know it better is through surveys and focus groups.
On online and offline surveys conducted once or twice a year, parents may write their points and suggestions.
This is help for the school to know what kinds of help parents really needed.
Home Visits
Sometimes it also helps to strengthen relationships with a home visit by a teacher or counselor from the school. Teachers know what the family situation is so they also have an idea of what to do with their needs.
Diverse types of participation
Not every parent has the same time or resources. Therefore, the school should provide opportunities where one can contribute in different ways.
- Helping in the classroom
- Accompanying children on picnics or educational trips
- Cooperating in fundraisers or fairs
- Parents can share their profession or hobby with children, such as a doctor giving a talk on health or an artist teaching children to draw.
Workshops and training
Workshops can be given to parents from time to time. For example:
- How to get children to do their homework without stressing them
- Digital literacy, so parents can easily navigate online classes or school apps
- Parenting tips, like how to communicate positively with children
- Separate guidance sessions for parents of children with special needs
Flexible scheduling
Every family has a different routine. Some parents are free in the morning, some in the evening. Schools should stagger meetings and events.
- Some sessions in the morning, some in the evening
- Both online webinars and offline meetings options
- Small events can be organised even on holidays
Multilingual support
In a country like India, there can be families of many languages in the same school. If all information is given only in English or Hindi, some parents will be left behind.
- Circulars, notices and newsletters can be made available in multiple languages.
- The school app should have a language selection option.
- A translator or interpreter can be employed in events.
Community engagement
Community resource centre
The school can become a hub of the community rather than just a place of learning. For example:
- Local health camps or legal awareness programmes can take place at the school.
- Nearby libraries, sports clubs or cultural groups can provide opportunities for school children.
- The school building can also be used for community events during holidays.
Collaborative decision making
When parents and the community are involved in school policies and decisions, they feel more responsible.
- A school committee or task force can be formed, which includes teachers, parents and local people.
- Decisions such as the school’s annual programme, the canteen menu or the direction of sports can be taken jointly through these committees.
Parent ambassador Program
Every year new families join the school. It may be difficult for them to understand the environment in the beginning. In such a situation, experienced parents can be made ambassadors who guide the new families.
- Explain the school processes to new parents
- Connect them with other families
- Share personal experiences and suggestions
Empower and support families
Bridge between home and school
Children learn not only in school, but also at home. The school should provide parents with such resources that they can make learning fun at home.
- Small games for learning mathematics or language
- Developing the habit of reading together with children
- Guides on how to do projects or science experiments at home
Resources for parents
Sometimes parents also need help. For this, the school can provide some resources.
- Homework helpline: Where parents can ask questions
- Online forum: A platform where parents can share experiences
- Educational materials: Such as worksheets, videos, or e-books
In the last analysis
Involving parents and community participation to the education system is not just an act of a formality that needs be hanged on the wall. It needs to be integrated into the whole system from school perspective because it requires continuous communication with the community; provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere and creates inclusive opportunities; and empowers families to create a robust learning environment.
Such engagement would raise children to be academically successful and learn how to become confident, collaborative and responsible participators in citizenship.
