Dear counsellor, I have very loving parents but they are never interested in my academics. Besides paying my school fees, I doubt if they even know the class I am in now. How can I make them interested in my school life? 

Berna

Although sometimes parents may seem embarrassingly old-fashioned when it comes to issues concerning their children’s education, communicating to them appropriately about the importance of their involvement in your education endeavor is the best approach to help you study enthusiastically and enhance your performance to secure a stable academic and financial future. Age may produce wisdom, but relevance needs to be worked on every day. Things like checking in with you about homework, rewarding you when you do well or talking about what you are learning are all positive ways to keep you on the right truck in education.

Your parents are the best friends you will ever have. They have rich lives and their years of stories are valuable treasures to you so, make a daily effort to Recognize and respect the fact that they have been through many more life experience and can offer you a great deal of knowledge about the world you live in. Remember that they have high expectations in you and want to see you achieve the best in future; this is why they are committed to paying your school fees. They make a lot of sacrifices for you, so reward their efforts with gratitude, obedience and a positive respectful attitude.

Always appreciate them for the things they do for you and Show them your performance in class like continuous assessment tests and examination results. Always encourage them to visit your school to meet your teacher so as to discuss how you can be helped to event perform better. Share good news with them about your school life and provoke their views about their plan for you future career. Be helpful and assume responsibility around the house by doing extra chores when you come home and be a loving person. Parents by nature need to feel that their children love them. Love costs nothing. Be affectionate and Fill them with pride and Make them your priority above anything. This will make them pick interest in you plus any thing that concerns you including your education.

YOU DEBATE

Esperance Nyiramutuzo, student:

Some parents are so busy with their work that they get little time to know how a child is doing at school. So dear Berna take the initiative to involve your parents in your education life. For instance, invite them to school meetings and care to show them your grades even when they don’t ask.

Remy Mugabo, artist:

Although it is not enough, the fact that they pay your school fees is a step forward. In my opinion, take the lead to update your parents about your academics, by making sure that they are aware of everything you are doing at school. They will eventually come on board.

Grace Kantarama, student:

Consider talking to your teachers to help you talk to your parents to participate in your education life. Teachers always have ways they approach parents and make them see the value of doing certain things for their children.

Vincent Kazubwenge, model:

Sit your parents down and have a good conversation; open up and show them how their involvement in your education can make a difference in your academics. You might find they are not aware of what they are supposed to do, so this is an opportunity to enlighten them about their participation in your school life.