KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent — Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says the inadequate engagement by parents in the education of their children is the greatest challenge to the “Education Revolution”.
The Education Revolution, a policy of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration, has resulted in universal access to secondary education and increased Vincentian enrollment at tertiary institutions.
Gonsalves on Monday acknowledged the economic challenges confronting some parents but called for a “national campaign on parenting”.
He listed among the challenges to the Education Revolution teaching, leadership in schools, education management from the Ministry of Education, and financing.
“The education revolution, obviously, has challenges. But … the greatest challenge has to do with inadequate engagement by parents in the education of their children,” he said.
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Gonsalves, a father of three students, said parents have certain responsibilities to their children.
“We have to make sure that our children do their homework rather than going to a disco. We have to make sure that the children do a certain amount of reading rather than being consumed with watching the television. We have to make sure that the children show discipline by doing chores in and around the home to make sure that the children stay away from those who want to lead them astray with drugs,” he explained.
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“I know that parents have their own problems you know. I know that parents have their own challenges. But you can’t leave the education of your child or children up to the Ministry of Education or up to the teachers. You have to be engaged with the education of your children and that often makes the difference in the children’s performance,” he said.