From personal observation, I have come to realise that after the Grade Six Achievement Test, some parents' interest towards their children's educational development seem to wane.

I recently spoke to a teacher who had to 'rough up' a parent to get him to play a more pivotal role in his daughter's education. Sub-sequent to taking the teacher's advice to motivate his daughter, she remarkably upgraded from a D to a B+ average in the space of three weeks. She subsequently passed the GSAT and will be going on to higher education. I hope that no one will have to 'push' him in the same way during her high school years.

Not enough motivation

My concern, among others, is that some of the parents, and especially some of the fathers, are not playing as much of a supportive and pivotal role as is necessary for the children's success. What causes the failure of many students is that not enough motivation is provided for them. I hope no one reading this letter will interpret 'support' as meaning only financial sustenance. There are various means and ways to show your support. Checking their books regularly, accompanying them to the library, complimenting them are just a few ways.

In addition, there are some parents who are so overwhelmed with the success of the student and in basking in the moment, they think that the child has reached the pinnacle and forget that success is a journey that requires continues travelling.

On the other hand, there are those parents who, upon hearing that the child was not successful, literally drop their hands and their interest, almost oblivious to the fact that this only makes things worse. Children need to feel that sense of hope that even when they fall short of their goals, there is still someone there propelling them to brush off and try again.

I am, etc.,

RENNAY MOORE

Kesharma_1@yahoo.com