Parents as Partners: Collaboration in Education

As Ernest Istook once said, “Education begins at home and I applaud the parents who recognize that they – not someone else - must take responsibility to assure that their children are well educated.”

It is a well-known fact that education possesses the power to change your entire life as you acquire knowledge from different sources and learn to apply it in the modern world. The act of learning helps you build your own opinions and perceptions, all while trying to maximize your potential.

?One overlooked crucial factor in education is parent engagement. When parents actively get involved in school activities and their child’s learning, it creates a supportive environment that helps reinforce the value of education. Whether it be helping with academics or just being there throughout the journey, parent engagement has proved to improve grades and social skills all while also nurturing positive school behavior. In India, where education paves the way for a bright future, a child’s success is deeply tied to their parents’ active involvement in school. It goes beyond just checking grades; it’s the warm hug that reassures them, the support and belief that children can achieve their dreams.

?Parental engagement allows parents to stay connected with their child’s school life and identify any social or emotional concerns early on. It’s like building a strong house together – parents and their teachers are the pillars, ensuring a safe and supportive environment where the child can flourish. Involving parents in decision-making processes and school committees also allows them to make important contributions to the school’s objectives, promoting a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for student success.

?Since its inception in 2003, the non-profit organization Muktangan has grown into a unique model delivering holistic education to over 3800+ children from educationally underserved communities, increasing their livelihood opportunities and employment opportunities of hundreds of teachers. The Founder, Mrs. Elizabeth Mehta, had one key question in mind that shaped the “Muktangan Model” – “Is it possible to create a conducive learning environment for both children and teachers?”

?The Muktangan schools also represent this key educational factor as they strive to engage their parents. “Our parents are an extremely important component of the triad and key stakeholders in the development process. Today, the Muktangan model is impactful because our parents advocated the programme and have continued to support us ever since.”

?A limiting factor is often the difficulties that parents also face, which prevents them from participating more meaningfully in school. Communication barriers and cultural differences can make it challenging for parents to support their child’s learning at home. Parents have an added responsibility of managing their work schedules, financial challenges and limited access to resources. The Muktangan schools mindfully keep such factors in mind while trying to engage parents in the school processes. These are some of the marvelous initiatives that they have taken up, to help both children and parents foster life-long relations and supportive structures at home and in school.

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• In order to minimize learning loss and enhancing the role of the community in delivering quality education, Muktangan set up Mohalla Libraries in the communities. This programme was driven by parent volunteers to instill a love for reading. Books are available in different languages and the impact is evident in the overall increase in readership across their communities.?
• ?Initiated?a forum for parents of children with special needs to connect meaningfully with each other and make informed decisions regarding their children’s development. Muktangan’s Learning Resource Group (LRG) faculty conduct various awareness sessions with the parents across all schools regarding their involvement in education, regularity, daily routines, importance of limited screen time and a healthy diet. Parents are equipped with strategies to help manage their children’s behaviour and learning needs.

• Active involvement of parents nurtures a sense of community and shared responsibility for children's education. Muktangan’s parents actively volunteer and participate in all school events, Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs), nutrition programme and contribute resources for the school.?
• Muktangan has different initiatives for creating awareness and building capacity of parents. Some of the activities include conducting need-based workshops on nutrition, sleep, socioemotional needs, organizing health camps and counselling sessions.

?Parent support in a student’s academic journey is like the wings that help students take flight and be confident in themselves and their capabilities. It is of utmost importance to foster a cohesive and interdependent learning environment with the partnership of parents and teachers. By maintaining open communication, the relationship continues to grow stronger. The signs of such a healthy cooperation is the ease and comfort with which parents can reach out to teachers when they have concerns or questions. Symbiotically teachers must be able to inform parents of struggles they may be facing with the child, or even the achievements and goals accomplished.

The future of our children is not just shaped in the classroom but also nurtured at home, where every parent’s involvement becomes the foundation for a brighter tomorrow. ?

Author: Ms. Krisha Bang (Muktangan Volunteer)

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