Parents need to stop being complacent and start taking charge of their children’s schooling, especially in Grade 12. This was the message sent out by acting circuit manager of the Mafukuzela-Gandhi Circuit, Siva Subrayen, while outlining his plan for achieving a 100 percent pass rate within the Phoenix Central Circuit.
“Matric is a crucial time in every child’s life and the role of parents determines the results the child will produce,” he said at a meeting held at the Bethsaida Ministries International premises on Saturday.
“Every year two important meetings are held, the first a parent info meeting at the beginning of the year and then a consultation meeting after the March control tests. Teachers have informed us that parents with children who perform well are the ones who attend while the parents of the borderline or poorly performing pupils are not present,” he said.
“We looked at the results of children whose parents attended the meetings and those who did not and found a huge difference. Pupils who had parents who knew what was happening at school achieved higher marks compared to those who did not.”
Subrayen highlighted several challenges, including a lack of communication.
“Many parents believe that constant shouting, nagging and badgering pupils about learning will get them to do it, but in fact it works the opposite way. Parents need to take a calmer approach,” he said.
Time and time management were huge challenges for pupils, with many of them saying household chores took up most of their time.
“Other challenges included the lack of a proper work space, and a noisy household with parents having parties and get-togethers with family and friends.”
Subrayen said all these were key issues in determining a child’s performance.
“For the next few months, take on a supportive role,” he urged parents. “Make sure your child attends school every day and on time. Create an area in the house which is quiet for your child to work. Stop the house parties and functions. Don’t give them household chores. Let them concentrate on the year ahead.”
In the same breath he advised pupils to take more responsibility.
“Have a proper schedule, be organised and aim to strike a balance between studying and social time. Attend the extra classes in school. Don’t be distracted by cellphones and going out but be focused on what you want to achieve,” he said.
For pupils, one of their main challenges is time management.
Fathima Mahomed, 17, said trying to keep up with the workload was tough.
“We try to cope, but it’s getting harder to strike a balance between homework and revision,” said Fathima, who intends to study medicine.
Phelan Chetty, 16, said that even with a schedule he was struggling with managing his time: “The workload is a lot and most of the time I am distracted by my cellphone. However, now I have learnt to put it away when studying.
“We also have activities like our senior prom that’s taking up our time. These things need to be done only after exams,” said Phelan, who hopes to study project management.
For Shanice Ince, 17, expectations from teachers and parents were the most challenging.
“Our teachers are giving us extra work so we can perform better, and our parents also want us to succeed, so they continuously emphasise the importance of studying. However, it can take its toll on us.”
Parents, however, say they are taking on the supporting role.
Phelan’s mother, Priscilla Chetty, said she had given her son her full attention and support.
“I constantly check up on my son – his homework, his studying schedule. When he is studying we don’t watch television,” she said.
“I am currently monitoring his time on his cellphone.”