Parents be more accountable

After two years of study, from 2003 to 2005 at the Corinth Teachers’ College, Mary emerged as Female Teacher of the Year 2005 and is suggesting that parents be made more accountable for their children’s behaviour.

She attributes her success in the classroom to her mothering at home, where she learned the comprehensive strategies to deal with children, which every teacher will encounter at school.

Mary says balancing her studies and duties as mother and wife was extremely difficult, but the chaos turned into progressive order and success.

"At first it was total chaos then there was the pooling of family members, where we shared responsibilities. It was a family thing where we did advance planning, especially for the times close to my teaching practice and exams."

Reflecting on her achievement, Mary offered advice to those entering teachers’ college.

She was firm, "not to take college life for granted. It’s not a breeze through. You have to learn to manage your time and finances, as assignments and practice sessions are costly.

"You need to get support from family and friends, and you cannot do it alone. Read, read and read more. Plus choose your elective subjects carefully and pay attention to your personal health.

"Above all, place the God of your understanding at the forefront of everything you do."

Although now enjoying her experiences in front of the classroom, Mary sees herself "branching off into the area of guidance and counselling."

She has a passion for reaching out to people, and she suggests that mechanisms should be placed to help reform the deviant students.

First and foremost, Mary suggests that parents be made more accountable for their children’s behaviour. She added that parent/teacher and parent/school relations should be encouraged, and there should be support systems in place for students, parents and teachers.

She suggests too that communities play a greater role, with the inclusion of "social services, and NGO’s to educate and encourage students into more positive and acceptable behaviour.

"We should encourage family and health programmes in schools, because coming out of that, children can learn life and coping skills, together with decision making management."

Mary feels strongly too that religious education should constitute part of the school curriculum.

As for guidance and counselling programmes, she says it should be a priority in all schools, to enable teachers to "learn modification techniques to apply to classrooms."