Codes of Good Practice for Parents Working with Schools
The Uganda National Association of Private Schools and
Institutions (UNAPSI) provides services to private schools and institutions in Uganda that
are self-determining in mission and program and are governed by independent
boards. UNAPSI works to empower private schools and the students they serve.
Should teachers in the private schools sector really brace themselves for an
onslaught of unreasonable demands from overzealous parents, or is there a more
positive side to the relationship?There are a minority of parents whose interventions frustrate the private schools sector head teachers. A survey made by Uganda National Association of Private Schools and Institutions (UNAPSI) found that majority of head teachers at their fee-paying schools named the unrealistic demands of parents as one of the biggest frustration of their job – ahead of paperwork, government policy changes and workload. One spoke of some parents having the attitude towards education of “a customer buying a product”.
The UNAPSI Codes
of Good Practice
UNAPSI Codes of Good Practice (CGP)
for member schools define high standards and ethical behavior in key areas of
school operations to guide schools in becoming the best education communities
they can be, to embed the expectation of professionalism, and to further our
sector’s core values of transparency, excellence, and inclusivity.
Codes
of Good Practice for Parents Working with Schools
Parents and independent schools
work together to create and sustain effective partnerships. The following
principles of good practice describe the respective roles and responsibilities
of both partners.
1.
Parents recognize that effective partnerships are characterized by
clearly defined responsibilities, a shared commitment to collaboration, open
lines of communication, mutual respect, and a common vision of the goals to be
reached.
2.
In selecting a private school, parents seek an optimal match for
the needs of the student, their own expectations, and the philosophy and
programs of the school.
3.
Parents are familiar with and support the school’s policies and
procedures.
4.
Parents provide a home environment that supports the development
of positive learning attitudes and habits.
5.
Parents involve themselves in the life of the school.
6.
Parents seek and value the school’s perspective on the student.
7.
When concerns arise, parents seek information directly from the
school, consulting with those best able to address the concerns.
8.
Parents share with the school any religious, cultural, medical, or
personal information that the school may need to serve the student best. The school
actively seeks the knowledge it needs to work effectively with a diverse parent
body.
Codes of Good
Practice for Schools Working with Parents
1.
The school suggests effective ways for parents to support the
educational process.
2.
The school defines clearly how it involves parents when
considering major decisions that affect the school community.
3.
The school keeps parents well informed through systematic reports,
conferences, publications, and informal conversations.
4.
Teachers and administrators are accessible to parents and model
candid and open dialogue.
5.
The school seeks and values the parents’ perspective on the
student.
6.
The school clearly and fully presents its philosophy, program, and
practices to parents during the admission process and encourages dialogue that
clarifies parental expectations and aspirations for the student.
7.
The school recognizes that effective partnerships are
characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, a shared commitment to
collaboration, open lines of communication, mutual respect, and a common vision
of the goals to be reached.
