This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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UN International Year of the Family
14/05/2004
All parents should have a greater
involvement in their children's education, Education
Minister Peter Peacock said ahead of the United Nations
International Day of the Family this weekend.
A working group - involving teachers
and children's groups - is developing plans to help parents
whose children are having problems at school.
The group has looked at good work
currently taking place in schools to consider how staff can
best engage with parents and pupils.
This autumn their findings will be
sent to Scottish schools and education authorities,
including practical ideas such as:
- Regularly letting parents know
what is going well for their child - this makes the
task of involving them in resolving difficulties much
easier. Too often for parents communications from the
schools is always 'bad news'.
- Holding open afternoons where
parents can join their children (in a fun activity) to
involve them in school events beyond the typical
once-a-year school play.
- Making sure that the reception
area is welcoming and that reception staff make parents
feel welcome - the first point of contact is often the
most important.
- Examining how parents are
currently contacted by schools e.g. the kind of letters
and leaflets used to inform parents about issues such
as exclusion and truancy.
Mr Peacock said:
"Parental involvement in their
children's education should not stop at the school gates.
The more parents are involved the better for their children
- they can and do make a difference.
"I recognise that it can be especially
difficult for parents whose child is having problems to
work with the school - we need to ensure we remove any such
obstacles to provide the best support for each pupil."
The announcement comes during the
10th anniversary of the UN International Year of the
Family.
The Executive is currently working
with the UK government and Welsh Assembly to mark the
anniversary, and has launched
a
website to give details of planned events.
Mr Peacock said:
"The International Year of the Family
helped raise awareness of family issues amongst groups such
as governments and businesses.
"The Executive has taken a number of
steps to support families in Scotland and this tenth
anniversary is an opportunity to continue this work."