With the use of the new technology currently being employed to deliver instructions to pupils around the island, a plea has been made for parents to be more diligent in their responsibilities in relation to the education of their children.
That call has come from Education Minister, Octavia Alfred as she delivered brief remarks at a recent press conference organized by her ministry.
According to the former primary and secondary school principal, some parents, by and large, are playing an active role while others need to step up.
“Most of our parents are playing a major role in ensuring that their children are engaged and are doing their best. The majority of our students did more than was expected. Some of our parents continue to be a little lax in their responsibilities. We are saddened that in some cases where students have devices and internet service, they come online so often and look at the assignment but yet they do no complete the assignment.
“No one can replace parents. No one can effectively take on the role of parents. Teachers can be excellent teachers to your children but teachers cannot be parents to your children. Parents have to begin to get more involved in the school and academic life of their children and take up their roles,” she admonished.
The views of the Education Minister are well supported by Assistant Chief Education Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Blaize who urges parents to ensure that students complete the work online.
“We are relatively satisfied with our parent’s response but we want a lot more from our parents in terms of having the children go online because that is one of the challenges we are faced with. Students are online but they are not engaging themselves as we expect them to in some cases,” Dr. Blaize stated.