Strengthening parent-teacher partnership for holistic child growth

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OPINION

By Jackline Turinayo Baganizi

Education goes far beyond what happens within the four walls of a classroom. It is a partnership where parents and teachers work hand in hand to nurture a child’s academic, emotional, and social growth. When these two key stakeholders collaborate effectively, children are given the best opportunity to thrive and reach their fullest potential.

While there may sometimes be challenges caused by misunderstandings or limited communication, these can be overcome through openness, trust, and teamwork.

Parents must feel empowered to speak up about matters concerning their children without fearing that they will be labelled as “the ever-complaining parents.” Every parent has the right and responsibility to demand accountability from a school because they are their child’s first advocate.

What one parent considers a complaint might actually be the key to positive change—not just for their own child but for the entire school community. Speaking up can bring to light issues that the administration or teachers may not even be aware of, leading to better policies, improved systems, and a safer, more nurturing learning environment.

In the same vein, teachers must also be free to hold parents accountable for their actions—or in some cases, inactions—that affect students’ progress. For instance, one common issue schools face is children arriving late to school or being picked up late after classes.

In many cases, children are punished for being late, but upon deeper reflection, it is often the parent who is at fault. How fair is it to discipline a child for something completely beyond their control? It is, therefore, important for teachers to engage parents directly and address such concerns. Teachers should feel comfortable pointing out these patterns respectfully, emphasising that accountability goes both ways.

Education is a partnership. We are co-parenting these children, and open, effective communication between teachers, parents, and even the school administration is critical to achieving excellence in students. When either side fails to communicate, the child suffers the consequences.

In my own experience as a school Director, I often receive calls or visits from parents who are dissatisfied with certain aspects of the school. Surprisingly, many of them begin by apologising for speaking up or “reporting,” as some prefer to call it.

My response is always to reassure them. I tell them that they should never feel sorry for voicing their concerns because the information they share helps me improve the school. I have never taken a complaint personally. Instead, I view it as a valuable opportunity to learn and take corrective action where possible.

As we begin a new school term, both parents and teachers should reflect on their roles and evaluate whether they are fulfilling their responsibilities to the best of their ability. Let us look beyond the fees that parents pay or the services that teachers provide and instead focus on the well-being and holistic growth of the learners. When both sides commit to this shared goal, it creates a win-win situation: children receive the best education and care, parents feel valued and heard, and teachers are supported in their work.

Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) were created with this very purpose in mind—to foster collaboration between parents and teachers. Whoever first introduced the idea of PTAs clearly understood the importance of collective effort in shaping a child’s future.

However, in many schools today, PTA meetings have become one-sided. In most cases, teachers remain silent, with only one or two daring to speak their minds. This should not be the case. PTA meetings should be vibrant, interactive forums where both parents and teachers openly share their views, discuss challenges, and come up with practical strategies to improve the school environment.

Beyond PTAs, one-on-one interactions between parents and school administrators or their child’s teacher can yield enormous results. Sometimes, parents may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues privately rather than in a large forum.

Similarly, teachers and administrators can use such meetings to give detailed feedback on a child’s progress or behaviour, and together, they can create personalised strategies to support the learner. These private conversations help build trust, strengthen relationships, and ensure that both parties are working in harmony toward the child’s success. Even a brief scheduled meeting or a phone call can make a significant difference in resolving concerns quickly and preventing them from escalating into bigger problems.

However, all communication between parents, teachers, and school administrators must be done respectfully. Even the harshest or most difficult feedback must be delivered with empathy and professionalism. Disrespectful language or blame will only create defensiveness and strain relationships.

When concerns are raised respectfully, they are more likely to be heard and addressed constructively. This applies to both sides—parents and teachers alike. Parents should avoid attacking teachers personally, while teachers should not demean or belittle parents when discussing issues.

As we move forward into this new term, let us commit ourselves to breaking down barriers between parents and teachers. Let us prioritise open communication, mutual accountability, and shared responsibility. Our children deserve nothing less than a united front that champions their holistic growth and prepares them to thrive in every aspect of life.

baganizijackie@gmail.com