Career, visitation days: Abused but key school days

By Stella Naigino

It is seven minutes to midday. A girl in her early 10s, stands at the gate; crestfallen and looks extremely puzzled. She has been expecting her parents since morning, and reality is silently kicking in, that they will not come.

It is not the first time that she has been abandoned during visitation days. But, a few minutes from her, a group of seven families are busy having wonderful moments with their children.

Truth be told; only a couple of parents in the seven groups interfaced with their children’s class teachers. The rest–it was a day for eating and sharing stories. Nothing academic and the parents seem not convinced to interface with teachers.

Studies and surveys have shown that several parents never take visitation days for their children seriously. A good number of parents never visit their children at school; and for those who do, they are rarely bothered to discuss with their children’s teachers issues regarding their young ones’ welfare and studies.  

“A good number of parents delegate duties of raising their children to schools,” according to Richard Owino, the principal of St Benedict High School Tororo.

He says some parents never attend parents’ meetings, never visit their children and are always ignorant about what takes place in their children’s schools.

Owino notes that parents should know that parenting goes far beyond paying fees.

Bishop Cyprian SS’s head teacher Victor Okello agrees with Owino. He says some parents act irresponsibly.

“Some parents are never even bothered to know what their children like most.”

He notes “Some students are not visited for the whole term and their parents are not even known at school. Such a student is prone to have a poor academic performance,”

Owino also notes that keeping track of your child at school helps you know what he does while away from home.

It also helps you relate with your child well.” Your child gets to know that you love and really care about them, which motivates him to work hard and please you,” Owino adds.

“Children spend nine months at school, meaning they spend more time with teachers than parents. Unless you keep track of your child at school, you will leave in denial of your child’s behavior and conduct at school,” Owino warns.

Rose Mary Bwire, a parent and lecturer at Makerere University, says keeping close contact with your child’s school administrators helps a lot.

“You will be informed about your child’s conduct at school, and in case of an emergency, you will be informed in time,” she explains.

Bwire notes that it is important that a parent calls her child’s school administrators once in a while, to ensure that all issues are in order.

It’s also important for a parent to build a relationship with her child’s class teacher. These know more about your child’s character and keep records which are important for a parent to know.

Bwire encourages parents to visit their children even when it’s not during visitation days; if the school permits it.

Schools normally organise functions for different activities like music, dance and drama and sports, where parents are required to attend.
 
For a parent to see his or her child grow holistically, it is the same reason why career and visitation days should never be ignored.

Advice to schools on preparing a career day  

1.  Determine how many students and outsiders (parents) will attend. Career day is best assigned to half of a typical school day. Mornings are most convenient for guest speakers.
    
2.  Have a programme for the day.
    
3.  Invite guest speakers at least a month in advance and provide a formal invitation explaining and highlighting the event.
    
4.  Send, call or e-mail reminders to speakers two weeks prior to the event.
    
5.  Recruit a group of student volunteers to guide and escort speakers and visitors within the school.
    
6.  Visit classrooms to present the event to students. Provide students with a menu of speakers and the schedule.
    
7.  Organize a welcome session as a prelude to the event. An administrator should greet speakers and provide a short thank-you speech.
    
8.  Assign teachers to classrooms to monitor student behavior.