State seeks to scale up parents involvement in homeschooling
Irene Githinji @gitshee
The government yesterday said it is working on modalities to scale up parents’ involvement in homeschooling, given the prolonged stay at home owing to coronavirus pandemic.
Education Chief Administrative Secretary Mumina Bonaya said this is in response to growing concerns that some parents are still struggling to ensure their children follow the ‘Out of Classroom Programmes’.
The programme is facilitated through broadcast and digital platforms-radio, TV and the Kenya Education Cloud (KEC) online platform.
She said parents have a shared responsibility with schools to ensure meaningful teaching and learning takes place.
Motivate children
“Parents are the first and continuing educators of their children. They are not expected to teach, but to motivate their children to achieve their full potential,” Bonaya said during a consultative meeting at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
During the meeting, it was agreed that strategies that will enable parents and guardians, whose roles are emphasised in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), be developed to create a conducive environment not only for learning at home but also for wellbeing of learners.
One of the options is creating awareness on guidelines on parental empowerment and engagement developed by KICD in partnership with other partners to address gaps in education that emanate from parents who are not well versed with their roles.
The guidelines provide strategies on how parents can be encouraged to be actively involved in their children’s learning as they appreciate the various developments in the education sector.
“Informed parents have a positive impact on the overall development of their children in areas such as acquisition of right morals, religious values, improved health and nutrition, increased enrolment, retention and transition in schools, academic achievements and appropriate career choice,” she said.
KICD Council chairperson Dr Sara Ruto underscored the invaluable role that parents play in educating their children saying they cannot be left behind in this academic journey.
“Parents are the first educators, trainers and source of authority that a child interacts with.
Helping parents to skillfully identify a child’s talent and potential, creates an enabling environment for the school to build on,” said Dr Ruto.
Acting KICD chief executive Dr Joel Mabonga said parents are critical players in success of homeschooling because they are at home with learners during this time they are exposed to alternative ways to ensure learning continues beyond the classroom.
“Parents just need to appreciate they have a noble role well captured in CBC. Nobody is sure when coronavirus will end for normalcy to resume in schools.
They should not shy away or find excuses to put aside their responsibility,” Dr Mabonga said.
