Codes of Good Practice for Parents Working with Schools

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.