The pandemic has reminded us that parents have a significant role to play in the education of their children. As a schoolteacher and mother, I considered the year 2020-2021 a school year unlike any other. The pandemic has turned our lives upside down and we seemed to be lost in the wilderness without a compass. The unprecedented times affected nearly every aspect of our lives. 

While it’s true that many parents found themselves in a difficult situation to teach their children at home, the pandemic provided us with a way in harnessing our potential how to rise above difficult circumstances while balancing the duties of working, parenting, and assisting our children with remote learning. I’m sure that we all felt overwhelmed and needed support from the school in facilitating our children’s learning during the pandemic. Yet, the restrictions hindered us from receiving help from others. Then, we realized that we must face our own battles to teach our kids.  

My own experience during the pandemic taught me that parents have the privilege of loving and leading their children and we have the primary responsibility for teaching them. We are the most important people in the lives of these precious souls who have been entrusted to our care. This distinctive role is not merely about quantity but quality. The more we are involved with our children in their studies and the longer we spend time with them-the less they are affected by outside influences. Indeed, we can have a lasting influence on our children. Investing in our children can result in a progressive outcome for the nation. It has been said that if you want to build a strong community, you need to build strong homes. 

 Now, that we are returning to face-face classes, our responsibility in nurturing and teaching our own children is still in full effect. Parental involvement is  highly important. Studies show that students do better academically and socially when families are engaged in their studies. Our responsibilities as prime teachers to our children are never-ending. In addition, it will always be challenging yet rewarding.  

 

By: Joselyn L. Gardoci|Teacher III|Bataan National High School|Balanga City, Bataan