In just a few days from now, children will be returning to school and parents are preparing to give them a sendoff. One important thing to put into consideration is that education cannot successfully be prearranged for students by their teachers alone; but as a team of teachers, parents and students.

For this to work there needs to be regular meetings held to foster the parent teacher student communication.

Nevertheless, parents should have a parental participation concerning their children’s studies so as to keep them aware of how the school runs.

This can be done by including parents as partners in their child’s education at school.

 "I have instituted monthly parent meetings so to help me settle educational issues because it’s through these that discussions and solutions to problems are found”, says Joseph Tulimana a head teacher of Saint Johns School Kimisagara.

He adds that by giving much of the control of the meetings to his students’ parents, he gets a substantially better attendance, feedback, and volunteerism in the long run.
 "Of course I also use the meetings as an opportunity to "educate” the parents about student learning, and education in general” he says.

"So far this has been quite successful. It seems to increase the number of participants at the meetings. "says Beatrice Kwizeraa teacher at Saint Johns school.

Kagenza adds that though the school holds meetings once a month, parents get all the information they need because they wholly get involved to know how their children perform in class and outside class.

On the other hand, communication with parents builds mutual trust and provides students with a strong foundation for learning hence do establish friendly partnerships and foster pleasant relationships with parents in the long run.

 "They are so beneficial because they help us air out the difficulties we find for example getting along with grown ups is a bit difficult for us but when the parents get to know about it helps us so much and later we get a change in behaviour .” says Doric Kurungi a primary six teacher.

Kurungi adds that parents always have expert ideas for solving problems especially those we face when we encounter with their children.

"Some children are habitual bullies and hostile to the administration but we are always helped by parents after counselling them. It’s through the meetings that solutions are made.” says Kulungi.

Fragrance Mulerwa a teacher and a parent of three says that for working parents who can’t arrange to meet regularly should make it clear to the teachers and administration to keep them aware of what is going on.

It’s through these meetings that each teacher comes prepared with samples of the children’s work and with ideas to help them do even better in school which pleases and pushes a parent to consider his child’s education.

However teachers should organise by talking to the children before the meetings so that they can avail the right information to the parents which helps them to find out what they think are their best subjects, and what subjects they like the least.

John Mutabazi a teacher at City School primary school says that its through these meetings that a parent will know the problems of the school, the hobbies and character of his child ,whether the child is progressing or not, the school programs hence a parent will know and get involved in the school program.

She adds that also teachers are given more information on how the children live at home that is their personality, habits, hobbies of the child which teachers may want to know.

Mutabazi attaches that it’s a good idea for a parent to ask his most important questions first, just in case time runs out before he and the teacher have a chance to discuss them all.

"Parents should be sure to ask the teachers for specific suggestions on ways to help their child do better because it’s the most important part of the meeting” she says.

Ends