Who is responsible?

Last week, I discussed the purpose of schooling and identified the adults who were responsible for providing the best possible learning opportunities for our children.  These adults include parents, teachers, principals and policy-makers.  With so many adults involved, who actually is taking primary responsibility?

When speaking to parents about why they make their children do certain academic exercises or attend certain enrichment programmes, their typical response will be, “This is what the teacher asked of my kids”.  Then, when speaking with teachers, more often than not, their reply will be, “This is what the principal wanted”.  When speaking to the principals, one would expect to hear,” This is inline with the policies of Ministry of Education”.  Then when you speak with the policy-makers, their respond will be,” If we do not do this, then parents will be get upset”.  This circular reference of replies prompted me to question, “Who’s taking the responsibility of ensuring that what we are putting our children through is to the children’s best interests and not just satisfying what another clueless adult want?  Do we adults really know what we are doing?”

The longer this debate goes on, the less our children will benefit.  This chain has to be broken and someone has to take full responsibility of this.  I believe that all parents love and want the best for their children.  Their love, care and concern for their children are beyond what words can offer.  What then about the other adults?  Do they not share any responsibility?  Yes, they do.  However, I see them as the agents to fulfill the plan laid out by the parents.  Teachers, principals and policy-makers have professional obligations to ensure that what they are doing are according to sound pedagogy and (hopefully) to their best abilities and without personal agenda.  Morally, I hope this group of adult does not see their chosen professional as just another job.  Our role in the educational eco-system is significant.  Children trust and look to us to guide them.  As parents, educators or policy makers, we adults have the unique opportunity to influence another individual’s life!  Ultimately, teachers, principals and policy-makers cannot decide for the child.  This responsibility rests undisputedly with parents.

I hope parents will think about and take this responsibility seriously.  No other professional will come with the same dedication and love.  It is an opportunity for you to plan, to decide and to eventually mound the kind of future you want for your children and their children to come.  So parents, start seeing this as a privilege and enjoy the process!