Parents are children's first and most important teachers - Diane

EDWARD MPOLOKA
Correspondent | Wednesday November 2, 2011 00:00

Officiating at a prize-giving ceremony at Nyangabgwe Primary School last week, Diane said that parents constitute a very critical part of the tripartite that includes students as well as teachers. 'Parents establish the academic and behavioural expectations that guide children through their years in school.  If much is expected, the probability is that a child will do his or her best to meet those expectations. If a negative attitude toward school is projected, the chances are the child will adopt a similar mindset, and in turn not meet his or her potential,' asserted Diane.

He added that it is the duty of parents to let the school staff know if their child is having difficulty at home. He encouraged parents to work with their children on their studies. Diane emphasised the importance of quiet areas in the home where studying can take place. Underscoring the centrality of a positive relationship between parents and teachers, he urged the former to attend school functions. Addressing students in particular, he said the fact that teachers are expected to teach presupposes that someone is learning.

He said that not only should students attend school regularly, they must also complete their school assignments.He counselled the students to have the right attitude so that they arrive at school ready to learn.Diane called on the students to treat the school as a serious place of learning. Turning to the last element of the tripartite, he said, 'The role of the teacher is both significant and valuable. It has far-reaching influences on the society he/she lives in. Students are deeply affected by the teacher's love and affection, his character, his competence, and his moral commitment.' According to Diane, a popular teacher becomes a model for his students adding that the students try to follow their teacher manners, costumes, etiquette, style of conversation and demeanour.

He said that a teacher should not only be committed to educate and train the students but should feel responsible for them. He added that a teacher 'should feel that his students have been entrusted to him and he should avoid any breach of this trust.'

An accountant by profession, Diane says a teacher should be a missionary, a mentor, a reformer and a guide besides being a dedicated tutor and perfect educationist.

Welcoming guests earlier, the deputy school head, Gloria Sebekwa said that the huge presence of parents at the event was a clear demonstration that they cared about the education of their children. She advised those who did not receive prizes to not despair but develop a spirit of competitiveness and work harder.

Giving a vote of thanks, the chairman of the Parent- Teachers Association (PTA), Hooper Makgomo, encouraged parents to reward their children even at home to encourage positive outcomes. He recognised the achievements of the girls who received more prizes than their male counterparts.