Schools must butt out of parenting

ASSOCIATE MINISTER OF WELLNESS, MINISTER OF HEALTH DAVE RODNEY (L)

Who is responsible for raising our children?

We would all like to believe it's the job of parents to raise their children with the values, morals and standards that they see fit to approve.

We would like to think parental concerns actually matter to the education system.

We would like to believe the system is there to assist parents in teaching their children - not to teach parents how to parent.

But increasingly, it appears, educators care little about what matters to parents.

In theory, parents have a plethora of opportunities to influence the education of their children.

School boards hold town hall meetings where parents can voice their concerns, there are online discussions, and parents, we're assured, are "actively involved" through school councils and committees.

And yet, it is increasingly clear that those in charge of the public school system have no desire to address parental concerns or utilize their input in any tangible way.  (more...)

Schools must butt out of parenting