By Margaret K. Lubega HOW a child and the teacher get along is key to the child's learning. Yes, the schools have opened today. How much have you prepared your child for the new academic year and for the new teacher? Many parents understand that educating their children is a partnership with the teacher. Many parents are also aware that while at school, teachers act surrogate parents to these children. But how many parents out there realise that you can contribute to your child's academic success under any teacher by putting in a little more effort? Although the first week of school is a difficult and busy time to meet these teachers, make an attempt in the following weeks to know who your child's teacher is. Do not wait until the teacher calls you because the child has committed an offense. Start early enough and create rapport. This will go along way in making your child enjoy schooling. Usually parents drop the child off at school and leave it to the child to know their teacher. Some parents end the academic year without ever knowing the name of the teacher who is an instrumental guide in their child's education. The parent-teacher relationship is like a marriage. Build it on trust, mutual understanding and accountability in the early years of the child's schooling. Once established you will never go wrong in how much the child will harvest both socially an academically. Many children fail to succeed not because they are not hard working or brilliant, but because their talents and abilities are suffocated by the parent's failure to work with teacher to help the child discover their potential. Begin now. Start informal class visits. Whenever you drop off the child, take a minute to say hello to the teacher. If you have just five minutes then have an informal chat. Such a gesture is invaluable to teachers and a worthwhile investment to the parent. Teachers come to appreciate that they are not alone in this venture. That the key stakeholder is awake and interested in the task assigned to him or her. Ends