NEW! Open Door Policy Allows Parents To Visit School Any Time
Written by Martin Mutwiri |
When one mention the word ‘school’, a picture of teachers and pupils in a teaching and learning situation instantly forms in one’s mind. This is the image, perceived of Compuera Academy when I first heard of it; but, was wrong.My visit to the school in November made look at schools from a different perceptive. I’m almost certain that whoever visits Compuera leave the school with new idea of what a school should be. ‘In Compuera, responsibilities of teachers and parents are clear each playing their specific roles. In the performance of their tasks in school the presence of both the groups in school is unrestricted’, affirms the school director, Jean Muhoho.
In this school’s set up, the parents are key stakeholders and take the upper hand when it comes to parenting. Moreover, we believe that relating well with parents create goodwill and understanding which is good for children.
‘Parents are allowed to come to school any time and enquire about their children, in so far it won’t mean not pulling the teacher out of the class or interrupting the his class in anyway,’ adds the principal, George Mureithi.
To strengthen communication, class committees have been formed - mostly in the upper classes – which comprise parents and the class teacher. The committees meet independently twice in a week at 7 am. Issues are discussed in the meeting and resolutions are fully implemented. If action is taken on what is resolved in the meeting, parents feel they are part of the school’s decision-making process.
Once in a while, the school holds seminars in which all parents come to talk about issues that affect their children. Experts are invited to give public lectures on the school community can best work to achieve school results. Issues are turned into objectives that would guide the school in achieving the set target. Parents are involved in the setting of the targets for their children. Teachers are there to advise so that they neither set soft target nor too high for the children. ‘Success comes in phases. We believe in slow but sure process. We set targets that are realistic and achievable. We cannot expect a child to achieve like 80 marks at once. We always gauge individual child’s ability and set target according to their capabilities’, Said Jean.
‘We use motivation to raise the standards. We have realized kids like food stuffs and we are using pizza as a motivation tool. The pride associated with it makes every child to work hard to get it. This is also a sure way of telling them that everything comes with a prize’.
Unlike the most public schools, Compuera Academy believes that inflicting pain is not the best punishment. Withdrawing benefits is the best way. ‘When a kid wrongs and the benefit like swimming and other co-curriculum
activities are withdrawn, the kid tends to rethink and do the right thing’. To motivate good behavior the school adds more benefits to the good kids and this challenges others to be good.
According to the school director and the principal, the role of parents should be that of support in terms of creating good environment for the child to learn both at home and at school. Good environment does not mean buying the child expensive gifts, its means creating quality time with the child however short the period may be and having the child to feel their parental presence.
Approaching the teachers with positivity and getting her to openly discuss issues affecting your child endears you to the teachers. Being in touch with the school every time, makes teachers appreciate your effort in parenting and would give your support you need.
Having an open system does not pose threats to anyone but a chance to work as a team to deliver the very good and to produce children who portray themselves as independent thinkers. To them, no excellence can ever be achieved without the unwavering support of the parents. If parents are on your side no one will be against you.
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