Parents' role key in education: Sheikh Nahyan

Abu Dhabi - Children have two main types of educators in their lives - their parents and their teachers.

Parents play a pivotal role in children's performance at schools and they are significantly instrumental in the development of education, said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance.
"Parental involvement in the child's education is beneficial. Basically, children have two main types of educators in their lives - their parents and their teachers. Generally, parents are the primary caregivers and educators until the child attends nursery or starts school and remain a major influence on their children's learning through school and into higher education."
Sheikh Nahyan made the comments during his key note speech at the parents' conference titled, Partners in Our Journey, organised by the Ministry of Education (MoE) at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The event was aimed at highlighting the role of parents in supporting the educational process and the achievement of National Agenda Indicators in terms of educational aspects, and raising awareness of the importance of parents' support for the educational development plans in Emirati schools.
"Parents should play a role not only in the promotion of their own child's achievements but more broadly in school improvement and promoting education in the nation," said Sheikh Nahyan.
He noted that the government is keen on putting in place measures and policies that link parents to schools and can foster good relationships between children, teachers and parents to promote learning and enhance education development.  Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said: "Without parents' support for children, there is absolutely no education."
"It's parents' responsibility to communicate effectively with children about school activities, provide them learning activities that reinforce school curricula at home and to speak regularly with teachers."
He added: "It is widely recognised that if pupils are to maximise their potential from schooling, they will need the full support of their parents. This is why the ministry endeavours to enhance parental involvement in education."
Jameela bint Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, told Khaleej Times:. "This is the first parents' conference in the country and we shall continue organising such events across the Emirates because we believe parents are key partners with the ministry for the promotion of learning and development of education." 
Emirati mother Aseela Abdullah, who attended the conference, said: "This is an important educational forum for us parents. Attending this has helped me with the knowledge on how better I can support my children academically and to strengthen my relationship with their teachers."    
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• Abu Dhabi