For impressive implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Senior School (Grades 10-12), both teachers and parents play a pivotal role. No wonder, as a scribe, muses convinced my conscience to anchor this 25th treatise on Competency-Based Education (CBE) on Crucial Role of Teachers and Parents in Senior School. Therefore, I intend to steer clear on roles of teachers, parents and Parents’ Association (PA) with riveting reference to Guidelines for Implementation of Senior School Education and Basic Education Act (2013).
Crucial of Teachers in Senior School
Quick into it. Joe Mwangi in his precious page-turner titled The Teacher Who Touches God argues that the teacher is the one in charge of a child’s formative years. Ostensibly, 75% of a child’s life up to the age of 24 or so, is in the helpful hands of teachers. Teacher are the greatest professional. For all other professionals pass through the gifted hands of teachers. Teaching is a noble profession. Teaching is a call to make and mould lives.
Remember, in the Bible, Jesus of Nazareth is seen as a rabbi — great teacher. Then, when you spare some time and pore over the Vedic Literature among the Indian people, you will discover that in the permutation of important people in their lives, the teacher comes first before their Supreme Being — Krishna. For it is the teacher who introduces people to Krishna.
Just to apprise you. Krishna is a major deity in Hinduism, revered as an avatar of the god Vishnu, and also as a supreme god in his own right. Krishna is the god of compassion, protection and love. He is a central figure in several sacred texts. Most notably the Bhagavad Gita, where he delivers spiritual wisdom to the warrior Arjuna before a great battle. Largely, Krishna is depicted in various ways; from a divine child and prankster to a strategic hero and sage.
In the years of yore, the Athenian thinker called Aristotle, said this about teachers, “Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.” Then, Henry Adams put teachers on a pedestal by reflecting on how their puissant influence spills into eternity. So, he saying, “A parent gives life, but as a parent he gives no more. A murderer takes life, but his deeds stops there. A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
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In actual sense, teachers work hard to achieve the good goal of improving the learners’ outcome. Teachers promote and maintain high standards of education in schools. Teachers prepare professional documents such as schemes of work, lesson plans, lesson notes, records of work, progress reports and timetables. Teachers ensure there is timely curriculum delivery. Teachers dispense knowledge in their subjects of specialisation. Teachers infuse lives of learners with the right attitudes. Teachers hone requisite skills in learners. Teachers evaluate learners by preparing them for both formative and summative assessments in their subjects of specialisation.
Teachers introduce new ideas and programmes to learners so as improve teaching and learning process. Teachers serve as role models and mentors to learners. Teachers instill discipline, norms, values and moral rectitude in learners. Teachers teach learners Life Skills Education. Teachers participate in workshops, seminars, symposia, community practice, et cetera in order to share knowledge and enhance pedagogical content knowledge in their subjects of specialisation. Teachers offer good guidance and advice to learners. Teachers ensure safety, health and hygiene of learners. Teachers offer vocational and career advice to learners. Teachers organise remedial lessons through expansion of time in order to offer robust support to learners with serious learning gaps. Teacher identify and nurture talents inherent learners. Teachers engage learners in co-curricular activities (CCAs). Teachers also ascend to additional duties assigned to them by Head of Institution (HoI).
Pivotal Role of Parents in Senior School
Somehow, I can use the word “parent” to also refer to guardians and care-givers. For they are all supposed to take keen care and custody of children while in school and at home. Parents mobilise resources to cater for children basic needs as well as educational materials or requirements. Parents support school projects and programmes. Parents participate actively in planning, development and decision-making processes of school activities such as academic clinics, AGMs, prize-giving, et cetera. Parents collaborate and co-operate with teachers on children’s discipline, guidance and counselling. Parents monitor the children’s growth and development.
Parents monitor academic progress and success of children. Parents ensure safety of children to and from school. Parents support and supervise children as guided by teachers. Parents instill appropriate conduct, behaviour and values in children. Parents act as role-models and mentors to their children. Parents ensure that there is peaceful and prompt resolution of conflicts that may flare up. Parents instill in their children sense responsibility. Parents should invest in and invest for their children. For such labour of love shall never go in vain.
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Investing in children imply that parents impart useful values and skills in children. Investing for children imply that parents become concerned about the future of their children through proper career choices. Proverbs 13:22 reminds us, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” Then, wise words of the Psalmist in Psalm 127:3-6 are a soul source of encouragement to parents trying to offer their children the best. In perfect poetry, it reads: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them! He shall not be put to shame, but he shall speak with the enemies at the gate.”
Parents’ Association (PA)
Finally, Senior Schools should establish a Parents’ Association (PA) in perfect agreement with the 3rd Schedule and Section 55 (3) of the Basic Education Act (2013). The HoI serves as the secretary to the PA. The PA is instrumental in the co-ordinating parental involvement in school governance, mobilising resource, addressing learners’ welfare and discipline, communicating, advocating, and supporting curriculum delivery.
By Victor Ochieng’
Victor Ochieng’ facilitates Teachers’ Capacity Building, Team-Building and Bonding. He speaks to parents during AGMs, Academic Clinics, Grade 10 Orientation/Induction. He trains Members of the Parents’ Association (PA). vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
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