?Teaching is a partnership between teachers, children and parents where each has an important and pertinent view, and everyone in the partnership helps the child thrive?, said the minister of Education, Dharam Gokhool, at a seminar on Parental Education one year back. For the minister, the ?family is the first and most important educator? and this is why the authorities find it important to give proper support to parents so that children can benefit from the partnership.

?Parental education at ministry level is centred on two main themes - the role of parents in education and the general development of the child?, states the head of the psychology department, M. Thacoor. The support is indeed not only in terms of pure academic or pedagogical skills but it can often relate to general themes such as the importance of breakfast for children.

?Parental education appears important because parents? support in children?s education is crucial. Parents must show an interest in what is being taught at school even if they have not been educated themselves. ?

Psychologists and social workers from the ministry visit schools to highlight possible difficulties and try and provide a support to both children and parents. More often than not, the psychologists visit schools in response to requests made by teachers or the school staff. There is indeed a sort of targeting in schools chosen for mass, group or individual counselling of children. ?Recently, my ministry has strengthened its school psychology unit. Eleven educational psychologists and 16 social workers are actively involved in parent sensitisation programmes, establishing links between home and school as well as conducting home visits?, said minister Gokhool.

So, teachers and the school staff have a particular contribution to parental education. ?We see parents going to their children?s schools everyday. This collaboration between parents and teachers must continue?, commented the psychologist.

Parental education appears as important because parents? support in children?s education appears crucial. ?Parents must show an interest in what is being taught at school even if they have not been educated themselves. As from the moment the parents sit next to their children and appear interested in what they are doing, children will feel they have their parents? support and will be encouraged to make an effort?, says M. Thacoor. Such simple gestures are said to give more confidence to children.

At the seminar, the minister gave a certain amount of advice on how to educate parents such as having ?open discussions with parents to identify how they stimulate and interact with their own children, listening to parents about how they bring up their children and incorporating their ideas in new plans for children or encouraging parents to participate in school activities?. Parental education does not concern only psychologists and counsellors but can also be extended to teachers.

Children indeed spend most of their time at home with their parents and it is important that the latter have a basic knowledge of how they can help their children learn better at school.

Although this may appear obvious to some, others may need the support of the authorities to cope ? especially if they have not been to school themselves. ?The importance of parental involvement and support in our children?s education has been clearly spelt out. Their support and guidance is essential for quality education?, the minister insisted.