Experts discuss parents' role in education

Report Al-Haj Muhammad Khan



CHARUN, June 14, 2011: The Association for Academic Development (AFAQ) held a workshop on “Parents’ role in quality education” in Booni on June 13.

The workshop was presided over by Sarfaraz Khan with Lecturer Mohammad Karim Khan.

Chief speaker on the occasion, General Manager AFAQ KPK and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Zaib in his presentation singled out a story from the book of Ashfaq Ahmad and used to integrate the topic into the current situation, educational demands and role of parents in the holistic development of children.

He also shared a video of a hairdresser, Iqbal, wherein the interviews asks him why he adopted this occupation. Iqbal replies that in the school he had more orientation towards painting and when he made a picture, his teacher was so surprised that he asked him to write the name of Allah for the classroom.

“When my father came to know about my painting, he harshly told me that “I am sending you to school for studying not for painting. You rather should work with me instead of painting because you have no interest in education.” Iqbal says this was the autocratic decision of my father and a turning point in my life.

“I left education and later adopted the profession of hairdressing as a source of livelihood. Iqbal also says that he learned a lesson after this setback and decided that I will leave no stone unturned for the cause of my children’s education and will give the opportunity of learning on the basis of their orientation and I am doing and working day and night now for the education of my children.

He also said that had his father understood his orientation and allowed him to continue his education, his fate would have been different and today he would have been a painter of repute.

Amir Zaib formally announced the topic and used to identify measures for parents and nine characteristics of high performing schools and their interrelationship.

He concisely and interestingly discussed, shared focus, high standard and expectations, effective leadership, collaboration and communication, alignment with state standards, monitoring, learning and teaching, focusing professional development, supportive environment and family and community involvement for achieving shared vision and worth while values of our life which integrate this world and life hereafter.

While discussing high level of family and community development, he said it is the responsibility of everyone to educate learners and the role of the power of habits discovering the field of psychology by making triangle of teacher, school and community for successful learning process and also shared the date of a village and research report that society contributes 3%, school 15% and parents 82% in learning process.

During presentation he also discussed the types, rights, expectations and responsibilities of parents in detail. Parents also contributed in this discussion and shared their expectations and challenges that they are facing.

He said in this journey of learning parents as well as teacher should ignite the spark by joint partnership for nation building. While concluding he provided tips for schools to improve teaching learning process and ensure parent’s participation and owning school as part of community life blood.

Lecturer M. Karim thanked AFAQ and commented on the pathetic educational system of the country and menace of cheating while referring the esoteric and exoteric meaning of the Hadith of Holy Prophet and its philosophical reflection on society contextualizing the biological ingredients of human being said that every person have to nurture the persons in himself (Cells) with utmost care and ultimately a versatile personality can be build with the true qualities of human being. He also emphasized the role of parents, Teachers and community for educational development.

At the end of the workshop Shah Wazir and President Sarfarz Khan also thanked AFAQ and Chief Speaker Amir Zaid and Zulfiqar Ali.

While wrapping up this workshop chief organizer and facilitator Mr. Zulfiqar Ali of AFAQ thanked all parents, teachers for their active participation and assured to follow up this welcome workshop in coming days developing and building more awareness and sensitization measures to ensure parents role in quality education which is the cry of the day and need of the hour.