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Role of parents in education
In any country the education system cannot be successful if parents of the children in school do not play their part as expected of them. This is very true wherever we find ourselves in any part of the world.
A lot depends on the policy makers but policy makers alone will not be able to roll out successful policies in education. For such policies to succeed, we need to ensure that all hands are put on deck to help the system to succeed.
Without this it will be difficult for policy makers to succeed no matter their good intentions. One of the major players in the educational sector is parents. It is parents who give birth to children to go to school. Whatever the policy makers are able to come up with must, therefore, be embraced and supported by parents so that the educational programme can be implemented as expected. Without this it will be difficult for any educational system to succeed.
One role played by parents is the payment of fees as well as preparing or grooming the children to push them into schools at various levels. The various levels in this case are kindergarten or preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
PRE-SCHOOL LEVEL
At the pre-school level parents are expected to pay attention to the young children and get the necessary educational inputs to assist them to learn and be able to accommodate or assimilate what teachers teach them in the classroom. This explains why parents at this level must be prepared to purchase learning aids to help the children in the acquisition of knowledge.
At the primary school, similar assistance will be needed to groom their children into effective young scholars. Such a method continues at the secondary school level until the children get to the tertiary level. Support from parents at this time will, therefore, be very necessary since without such support teachers alone cannot deliver.
When children are supported by parents in this way, they grow up to become good scholars even at the young age and so as they get ready to enter the tertiary level it will be seen that a strong foundation has already been laid for such young scholars to make it possible for them to accumulate more sophisticated knowledge as they prepare to get to the tertiary level.
The tertiary level is a more complex area but if the children, young as they are, get the needed foundation they will be able to cope with the body of knowledge that they have to learn to enable them become complete scholars. If this is done it means that parents would have been able to contribute their portion as expected.
FREE EDUCATION
In Ghana today, the government of the day has come up with free education system at the secondary level. What this means is that parents are not expected to pay school fees for their children, whether at the vocational, technical or at the normal secondary school level. This is good and must be continued not only for the present generation but for our future generation as well.
There are many people who would have become educated if such a free education system had been introduced during their time. The present generation is, therefore, very fortunate to have come under a government that has introduced this free system of education. Poverty in Africa is generally high so African governments need to work efficiently to generate more money and introduce free education system to the people.
ADVANTAGES
The advantage of the free education system is that it reduces the burden of care on parents and enables them to free some of their resources to cater for other needs of members of their family. In addition, the free education system helps present and potential children to develop their talents and become very useful citizens in society. Again, it helps to reduce armed robbery and other social vices that would have occurred had there not been the free education system.
This explains why all over the world countries are praising Ghana for a good policy such as the free education system. The government is not just introducing free education system but encouraging students to also go in for vocational and/or technical education. The development of vocational and technical skills will help the young scholars to become self-employed instead of depending on government for employment.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT
This is important because masons, technicians, painters, designers and all kinds of artisans working in the public sector as well as in the private sector can become self-employed. This is the kind of lifestyle we need to encourage in this country. Many countries in the world have pursued this agenda and enjoying the benefits. There may be employment but the rate becomes reasonably lower compared with what would have been the case if such a system had not been put in place.
In all this, parents are still expected to play their role. They usually do this by encouraging their children to understand the policies in education and guide them to achieve their ambitions. Without such guidance and assistance from parents, it may be difficult for government alone to do this.
The success of the educational system in any country, therefore, does not depend only on government alone but parents as well. Indeed, other stakeholders such as scholarship organisations and churches and many others are all expected to play the role that are relevant to the educational policy. In addition, they are expected to dialogue with government on what can be done to improve the system.
GOOD INTENTIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS
What is to be done to improve the system can come from parents and other stakeholders but it must come from people with genuine and good intentions as stakeholders. If we embrace good government policies with our hearts and play the role expected of us, we will be able to achieve what is good for the country thereby bring improvement to every person. This is what all stakeholders must bear in mind as they offer any suggestions to policy makers to enable them have the peace to drive the development agenda as far as the educational sector is concerned.
Thus, the success of the educational sector is crucial for the development of the nation and this explains why all stakeholders must do all they can to support government to drive the country forward.
This is a task that we cannot run away from so each one of us, that is, the stakeholders, namely, government, teachers, students and, indeed, everybody should endear themselves to playing the role expected of them and helping to improve the system not only for the good of the country but also to the glory of God.
Contact email/whatsApp address of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com(0553318911)
By Dr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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