Education is everyone’s business

 I REFER to the article by a “Frustrated parent” (The National, Nov 23) blaming the teachers for the drop in the level of education in Papua New Guinea.

An educated parent like you should understand the entire process of education before drawing immature and irresponsible conclusions.

Education is everyone’s business and the teachers contribute only 20 per cent of the education to every child. 

Do not be misconceived by your personal understanding of the education process. 

Let me briefly outline the human development guide to you. All human being goes through, three phases of lives, infant and childhood, adolescent and young adults and finally adults and old adults. For a person to demonstrating all aspects of Integral Human Development environment after completion of formal training, what happens in the early childhood is paramount and that is the foundation. The soles responsibilities in this phase lies with the parents at home and then the teachers in schools. 

Education has a structure and the roles and responsibilities of the teachers are designed to suit the structure. There are a lot of differences between what happens in elementary education, primary education and secondary education.

I partly agree with some facts you stated, however, they are all cultural and collaboratively some interventions can be done to improve on these areas. For instance, the National Government will intervene on quality teacher education training, standard officers can step in to address teachers’ attendance, participation and performances and the Education agencies will look at teachers’ postings and placements. 

Teachers are implementers and only deliver what is prescribed by the authority.

How can you contribute to the development of your child? What is your role in this process?

In the meantime, let me point out few things that may erase the misjudgments you have:

1. Fundamental aspects of child development take place at the ages of 1-5years. Parents are expected to assist their child develop and master positive psychomotor, locomotors and speaking and listening skills and the parents are the key players to that.

2. Discipline at home is paramount and all parents must not allow that child to wonder off into the wilderness of nonsense and disruptive life.

3. Do you discuss your child’s semester academic and attitude reports with him/her? Do you also see education as your responsibility? What should you do at home to assist your child with the take home task? 

Most children are exposed to media and this also influences the way they are thinking and behaving today. 

The teachers are also challenged by the external factors that disturb the minds of our kids today. Things like early childhood smoking, drinking and boy girl relationships.

I assure you that; unless the Government improves employment conditions for the teachers, you will see improvement in the quality education.

Education of our children is everyone’s business.

Teaching Positive

Madang