A school principal is urging parents to get involved in their kids' education from the very beginning.
Shernette Powell, Principal of the Point Hill Leased Primary School in St Catherine, said too many parents are waiting until their children reach grade six before they start worrying about books and other educational items.
“Every parent who gave support, we see the results coming out in the [high] schools that they were placed. Don’t wait until your child is in grade six before you start to give that kind of support that they need.
"The support is a continuous process, and I say to parents, start at grade two, start at early childhood,” she told Jamaica Information Service News.
Supporting the Principal’s views, early-childhood educator and parent of the top-performing student at the Point Hill primary, Nadine Sinclair Peart, said “parents’ involvement is very important and essential for the educational growth of children”.
“You should always get involved in your child’s learning as early as possible. It starts at the home, look at the content, try to learn it as well; that is when you will be able to help your child," she added.
Meanwhile, Acting Executive Director of the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Tanisha Miller, said the agency “wholeheartedly supports parents being involved” in all aspects of a child’s life, and they have programmes to enhance such support.
She emphasised that the community, the school, and parents must work together for the development of children.
The ECC also operates 132 Brain Builder Centres, which have nurses and day-care centres, and the services are free to parents. Meals are provided, and there are trained teachers and caregivers.
The Commission is an agency of the Ministry of Education and Youth and has comprehensive programmes designed to meet the language, physical, cognitive, creative, socio-emotional, spiritual, cultural, and school-readiness needs of children.
